ROCKETS 2 - 1 TARVIN WHITES
The boys came up against the only other unbeaten team in our league and to be fair we did a great job overall in challenging conditions. The match was affected by the mud and bobbles and our boys coped with that better and we created three or four times more chances than Tarvin.
We had asked the boys to make tackles count and even if it was hard to play passing football on the poor pitch they showed they listened as the commitment to get to the Tarvin players, close down, track back and tackle hard was excellent. Bailey, William, Zac and Fin all did a great job in the tackling department.
Goals win games and even though Rory was up against a dogged, physical and determined defence he came away with two more goals (20 for season) and William tells us that Jamie Vardy's consecutive match record is now in real danger!
We conceded our clean sheet with the final play of the game after some decent wing play from Tarvins best player and some Mignolet and Lovrenesque defending which ended with Fin smashing it into William for a contender of own goal of the season! Nothing William could do and he wasn't (and still isn't) best pleased ha ha!
MOTM match was awarded to Fin for his athleticism and speed to get about a bad pitch which reminded us how good he is in cross country conditions! William also deserves praise for a super solid display and quick and accurate transition to our attackers.
Well done boys. After the final whistle we were all a bit flat after conceding but in hindsight we did brilliantly and are now top of league....if they showed the points!
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 11 NOVEMBER
ROCKETS 11 - 0 SAUGHALL BLUES
This week we played Saughall's B team and during the warm up we sensed our boys felt the match would be easy. Lots of chat about them being worse than Wildcats and how many goals we'd score etc.
It was hard to get the lads focused and we paid the price as for the first 20 minutes we huffed and puffed, held onto the ball individually, shot from stupid distances or angles and generally fluffed our lines against a 4-man defence and on a slightly narrower pitch.
It took us to switch a few players off and move Charlie and William into midfield and Alex up top (going 1 at the back with Will B) before we started to pass the ball and calm down - we then scored 3 goals to set us up for a better second half.
We don't often have to get tough with the boys but at half-time we had to ask the boys to switch on, listen to Paul and I, and get the ball moving between each other. It was pointed out that our defenders can easily take the places of midfielders if that's what it takes for us to pass the ball.
Anyway...the boys listened, said they understood and they responded really, really well so can take credit for that. Our second half display was miles better and we scored 8 really nice team goals against an unbelievably good goalkeeper! Alex got into great positions to complete his hat-trick and Charlie was superb going forward.
It was definitely a day for the defenders union with goals from Alex (3), Charlie (1), William (1), Xander (1), Bailey (1), Harry (2) and George (1) and OG (1).
MOTM went to Alex.
The boys will face much tougher games, starting this Saturday v Tarvin A, so lets hope we can keep things on track and play the game how its meant to be played. We are expecting a focused training session this Friday.
Well done, a good 2nd half response.
This week we played Saughall's B team and during the warm up we sensed our boys felt the match would be easy. Lots of chat about them being worse than Wildcats and how many goals we'd score etc.
It was hard to get the lads focused and we paid the price as for the first 20 minutes we huffed and puffed, held onto the ball individually, shot from stupid distances or angles and generally fluffed our lines against a 4-man defence and on a slightly narrower pitch.
It took us to switch a few players off and move Charlie and William into midfield and Alex up top (going 1 at the back with Will B) before we started to pass the ball and calm down - we then scored 3 goals to set us up for a better second half.
We don't often have to get tough with the boys but at half-time we had to ask the boys to switch on, listen to Paul and I, and get the ball moving between each other. It was pointed out that our defenders can easily take the places of midfielders if that's what it takes for us to pass the ball.
Anyway...the boys listened, said they understood and they responded really, really well so can take credit for that. Our second half display was miles better and we scored 8 really nice team goals against an unbelievably good goalkeeper! Alex got into great positions to complete his hat-trick and Charlie was superb going forward.
It was definitely a day for the defenders union with goals from Alex (3), Charlie (1), William (1), Xander (1), Bailey (1), Harry (2) and George (1) and OG (1).
MOTM went to Alex.
The boys will face much tougher games, starting this Saturday v Tarvin A, so lets hope we can keep things on track and play the game how its meant to be played. We are expecting a focused training session this Friday.
Well done, a good 2nd half response.
MATCH REPORT - SAT 4 NOVEMBER
SAUGHALL BLACKS 0 - 11 ROCKETS
When the coach turns up 5 minutes late and we are already 0-3 up then you know we have started quickly!!
Saughall have unfortunately lost a few talented players and the game really turned into a training exercise of attack versus defence. That said, we played with great passing accuracy and switched the ball across the pitch making runs and passes which Saughall could not cope with.
Some of the goals were excellent, particularly when our wingers (Harry, Xander and George) were able to beat players and cross into the box for finishes. We felt our decision making between running and passing was superb today and hopefully we can keep this balance right, as against better teams we cannot beat every player.
The passing from the back was great, with all our defenders getting the ball into the midfield with speed and accuracy.
The goals came from Rory (5), Xander (2), Austin (2), George (1) and Harry (1).
MOTM went to Harry who caused Saughall major issues which they could only combat by first elbowing him and then hacking him down. It was nice to see his free-kick curl into the top corner from 20 yards just on the final whistle (and caught on video!).
Well done boys. A great all round display from everyone.
When the coach turns up 5 minutes late and we are already 0-3 up then you know we have started quickly!!
Saughall have unfortunately lost a few talented players and the game really turned into a training exercise of attack versus defence. That said, we played with great passing accuracy and switched the ball across the pitch making runs and passes which Saughall could not cope with.
Some of the goals were excellent, particularly when our wingers (Harry, Xander and George) were able to beat players and cross into the box for finishes. We felt our decision making between running and passing was superb today and hopefully we can keep this balance right, as against better teams we cannot beat every player.
The passing from the back was great, with all our defenders getting the ball into the midfield with speed and accuracy.
The goals came from Rory (5), Xander (2), Austin (2), George (1) and Harry (1).
MOTM went to Harry who caused Saughall major issues which they could only combat by first elbowing him and then hacking him down. It was nice to see his free-kick curl into the top corner from 20 yards just on the final whistle (and caught on video!).
Well done boys. A great all round display from everyone.
Saturday, 21 October 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 21 OCTOBER
ROCKETS 6 - 3 PRINCESS VILLA
The score maybe flatters us very slightly but it was by no means as 'controversial' as the PV coaches or parents wanted to believe; as from 3-3 we took the game away from them with a combination of fitness, speed and firepower.
In the end it could have been 8,9 or 10 as their keeper made some fine stops.
The claims for a handball or my giving a routine free-kick for playing the man before the ball were out of frustration as they are a very good team who are not used to being behind.
The boys stood up brilliantly after going one behind and Rory got us level with a trademark finish after being put through. Rory put us ahead with a mazy run and blasted finish before PV scored with the last play of the half with a brilliant header.
In the second half we totally outplayed PV after they had started brightly. Xander hit a 25 yard lob to the top corner before PV equalised. The boys continued to play intelligently and our desire to get back to rebuild each move was outstanding on a heavy pitch.
Our fourth goal really was the 'nail in the coffin' as Xander beat two players before cutting in and shooting low to the bottom corner for 4-3.
Playing on the right Harry had been in physical battle and leading up to foul against him he had frustrated the PV player by winning a shoulder to shoulder challenge. Harry then stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner for 5-3.
It was just left to Rory to compete his hat-trick running free and rounding the keeper to put the gloss on a perfect team performance.
Every single player deserves great credit. Everyone played to their full potential which is a rare thing in team sport.
MOTM went to Rory not just for another hat-trick but for playing with a cut to the head, being constantly battered by the big defenders and being the muddiest player. Other notable displays were Alex and Fin who really stepped up to the challenge and Xander for his high energy and threat.
5 wins and 1 draw. Not too bad eh?
The score maybe flatters us very slightly but it was by no means as 'controversial' as the PV coaches or parents wanted to believe; as from 3-3 we took the game away from them with a combination of fitness, speed and firepower.
In the end it could have been 8,9 or 10 as their keeper made some fine stops.
The claims for a handball or my giving a routine free-kick for playing the man before the ball were out of frustration as they are a very good team who are not used to being behind.
The boys stood up brilliantly after going one behind and Rory got us level with a trademark finish after being put through. Rory put us ahead with a mazy run and blasted finish before PV scored with the last play of the half with a brilliant header.
In the second half we totally outplayed PV after they had started brightly. Xander hit a 25 yard lob to the top corner before PV equalised. The boys continued to play intelligently and our desire to get back to rebuild each move was outstanding on a heavy pitch.
Our fourth goal really was the 'nail in the coffin' as Xander beat two players before cutting in and shooting low to the bottom corner for 4-3.
Playing on the right Harry had been in physical battle and leading up to foul against him he had frustrated the PV player by winning a shoulder to shoulder challenge. Harry then stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner for 5-3.
It was just left to Rory to compete his hat-trick running free and rounding the keeper to put the gloss on a perfect team performance.
Every single player deserves great credit. Everyone played to their full potential which is a rare thing in team sport.
MOTM went to Rory not just for another hat-trick but for playing with a cut to the head, being constantly battered by the big defenders and being the muddiest player. Other notable displays were Alex and Fin who really stepped up to the challenge and Xander for his high energy and threat.
5 wins and 1 draw. Not too bad eh?
Monday, 16 October 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 14 OCTOBER
ROCKETS 8 - 1 NEWTON
A fine performance against a Newton team who try to play football but perhaps physically weren't strong enough to contain a Rockets team which is full of confidence.
The score-line came courtesy of Harry (3), Rory (2), Bailey (1), George (1) and Austin (1). The Newton goalkeeper was very good, brave and quick to clear with punches or run off his line and he kept the score from double figures.
In each half the boys moved the ball very well from back to front and we were able to get our attackers onto the ball time after time. The shape of the team was quite pleasing as Paul and Rob only had to remind players on a few occasions about which side of the pitch they were playing and to hold space rather than follow the ball across.
Defensively we had only one lapse of concentration but overall we snuffed out any Newton attack and played the ball forward brilliantly.
We will have much harder challenges ahead against Princess Villa 'A' next Saturday and a new and improved Vicars Cross 'A' outfit.
MOTM went to Harry for a hat-trick and some great wing play.
Well done boys. 4 wins and 1 draw is a good start to the season.
A fine performance against a Newton team who try to play football but perhaps physically weren't strong enough to contain a Rockets team which is full of confidence.
The score-line came courtesy of Harry (3), Rory (2), Bailey (1), George (1) and Austin (1). The Newton goalkeeper was very good, brave and quick to clear with punches or run off his line and he kept the score from double figures.
In each half the boys moved the ball very well from back to front and we were able to get our attackers onto the ball time after time. The shape of the team was quite pleasing as Paul and Rob only had to remind players on a few occasions about which side of the pitch they were playing and to hold space rather than follow the ball across.
Defensively we had only one lapse of concentration but overall we snuffed out any Newton attack and played the ball forward brilliantly.
We will have much harder challenges ahead against Princess Villa 'A' next Saturday and a new and improved Vicars Cross 'A' outfit.
MOTM went to Harry for a hat-trick and some great wing play.
Well done boys. 4 wins and 1 draw is a good start to the season.
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 30 SEPT
CHESTER NOMADS COLTS 2 - 2 ROCKETS
A fine comeback in a match we were really unlucky not to win.
Considering we were missing players at both ends of the pitch and Nomads sprang an 8-side formation on us this result ranks as one of the best of the season so far!
The boys went into the break 2-0 down, but in the second half goals from Harry, who moved back into midfield, and then Will B took us level. With moments left we could have taken the win.
Coach Hayden said we dominated the second half and played really well.
Well done boys. Undefeated so far this season so lets keep this going!
Thanks to Hayden for helping out so we could play the match.
A fine comeback in a match we were really unlucky not to win.
Considering we were missing players at both ends of the pitch and Nomads sprang an 8-side formation on us this result ranks as one of the best of the season so far!
The boys went into the break 2-0 down, but in the second half goals from Harry, who moved back into midfield, and then Will B took us level. With moments left we could have taken the win.
Coach Hayden said we dominated the second half and played really well.
Well done boys. Undefeated so far this season so lets keep this going!
Thanks to Hayden for helping out so we could play the match.
MATCH REPORT - SAY 23 SEPT
ROCKETS 5 - 4 BLACON YOUTH
Our third successive win of the season came about in a really competitive and evenly matched game against a talented Blacon side.
The boys started really quickly and we went 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Rory and then a good finish from a corner from Fin.
Blacon played themselves back into the match with some calm passing and with a defensive mix up from a threatening throw-in they drew level at 2-2.
From there the game was evenly matched with the Rockets going up 3-2 through a brilliant rounding of the goalie and finish from Rory, before Blacon made is 3-3. We again went ahead 4-3 when Fin blasted home another volley and yet again Blacon drew level with a 25-yarder to the top corner.
With the game restarting at 4-4 we went straight forward and Bailey scored to take us to 5-4 with 5 minutes to go.
The boys deservedly held out and we could have gone ahead further as Bailey scored but the goal was disallowed for a Waverton free kick! Then Rory was fouled in the area but the referee, who was running out of steam, was not up with play closely enough to award the penalty!
Great result but perhaps not quite the passing performance we asked for. We got drawn into a battle against tough opposition which possibly isn't the best tactic but it worked out okay in the end! Our firepower going forward saved us this week!
When we train in tight areas and play the ball under pressure we have to take this to the matches where we can use the space and play each other in much earlier.
MOTM went to Fin for a blockbuster performance.
Well done lads. 3 wins from 3!
Our third successive win of the season came about in a really competitive and evenly matched game against a talented Blacon side.
The boys started really quickly and we went 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Rory and then a good finish from a corner from Fin.
Blacon played themselves back into the match with some calm passing and with a defensive mix up from a threatening throw-in they drew level at 2-2.
From there the game was evenly matched with the Rockets going up 3-2 through a brilliant rounding of the goalie and finish from Rory, before Blacon made is 3-3. We again went ahead 4-3 when Fin blasted home another volley and yet again Blacon drew level with a 25-yarder to the top corner.
With the game restarting at 4-4 we went straight forward and Bailey scored to take us to 5-4 with 5 minutes to go.
The boys deservedly held out and we could have gone ahead further as Bailey scored but the goal was disallowed for a Waverton free kick! Then Rory was fouled in the area but the referee, who was running out of steam, was not up with play closely enough to award the penalty!
Great result but perhaps not quite the passing performance we asked for. We got drawn into a battle against tough opposition which possibly isn't the best tactic but it worked out okay in the end! Our firepower going forward saved us this week!
When we train in tight areas and play the ball under pressure we have to take this to the matches where we can use the space and play each other in much earlier.
MOTM went to Fin for a blockbuster performance.
Well done lads. 3 wins from 3!
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