MATCH REPORT - SAT 11 MARCH

ROCKETS 1 - 1 VICARS CROSS

The boys ended our group stage of the Shield with a hard fought draw against a battling Vicars Cross team who were playing for a semi-final place and deservedly progress from the group as runners-up.

We end the group with 9 wins and 1 draw so can be proud of topping the group meaning we will play the runners-up in group A at home. 

The match itself was a struggle. We huffed and puffed on a big pitch playing 8-side which may have suited the bigger opposition more who have a game based on pressurising the ball and cutting down space. We struggled to move the ball about quickly and too often we got caught in individual battles going forward.

At the back we were probably overly cautious which was a result again of the big pitch and our midfield not being close enough to our defenders to give them options. This resulted in us getting bogged down for periods in our own half and Vicars Cross were able to test us with long throws and corners. 

In the second period we started to look more lively and threatening going forward. Xander was getting more joy down the right, Rory was able to find more space and Austin nearly scored with volley. 

With 10 minutes to go Rory broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt volley off his left foot into the top corner and it looked like we would grab the victory. In fairness to Vicars Cross they didn't stop battling away and from a long throw they scored with a nice flick-on beyond Hugo with 3 minutes to go.

It probably wasn't the best time to experiment with a bigger pitch. We didn't award a MOTM today but a mention goes to Austin who did try to pass through the crowded midfield areas. 

Hopefully we will be back on the grass next week at home versus Saughall from our league. 

We learnt a lot yesterday and over the next 18 months we can progress how we get the ball forward more quickly on the larger pitches - it's called passing and moving! It would be useful for our boys to watch our u12s one Sunday. 

Well done boys on topping the group; we could not have asked for more. Bring on the semi-final.

Rob & Paul.