MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 6 - SAT 3 FEBRUARY

ROCKETS 1 - 1 JETS

As we started the second round of cup fixtures it was time to see if we had learnt anything from the first 5 games. The boys showed a good shape, kept positions, won individual battles and didn't dive into tackles unless they were last ditch (Austin!!). So the report is a 10/10 for improvement!

The coaches had also leant 'a little' as we employed Fin and Xander to stay close to James who had brilliantly taken the game away from us in the first fixture. A sign of how good a job Fin and Xander did was the fact that James was restricted to only two chances in 48 minutes of play - so well done boys for a really disciplined display against the best player in the league.

Overall the match should remembered for the defensive Union of Hugo (with 3 or 4 brilliant saves), Alex, Charlie and William - ably helped by Fin and Xander. Our positional play and decision making was excellent and we were able to stop through balls, anticipate and get in front of the Jets forward line which forced them to over hit balls or shoot from distance.

Jets are a great passing team and we can learn how they often go back to go forward; which we are learning at training.

The scoring was opened by a soft goal from our point of view with the Jets player too easily beating our defenders before poking the ball at a 2mph trickle past the on rushing Hugo. The lesson here is really clear - someone needs to make a decision - either the defender puts the ball out or the goalie rushes out to do the same. There can't be any indecision. We will do some work on this in training.  

The boys didn't let their heads drop and if anything over the final 15 minutes the game was very even with us creating good chances. This led to a move where Rory was in shooting range inside the box with the Jets defender having gone very early to ground to block; which unfortunately he did with both hands to give away a penalty. Austin stood up to the pressure and scored to the bottom left.

The boys stood firm in the final moments with Jets hitting the post and winning a free-kick from 15 yards which was the last play of pulsating match.

MOTM was a unanimous shout from the coaches and went to William who was at the centre of a brilliant defensive display from our back 3 or 4! Big shout also to Hugo and Fin today.

Well done boys - everyone can be proud of their individual performances today.