ROCKETS 6 - 5 ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS
We decided the time was right to pitch ourselves against a higher level opposition and took a friendly against the runners up from the A league Cup last season.
In the first 15 minutes it was apparent that EP's composure on the ball and willingness to play through the thirds was ahead of where we are in terms of progression and development and EP cruised into a 2-0 lead. We steadied the ship as we got into the game before George pulled one back with stunning header from a corner kick - game on!
From that point the game intensified and became a very good spectacle as two different styles went hammer and tongue. EP continued to press and probe and the Rockets looked fast on the break. Remarkably we went 3-2 up, to 3-3, to 5-3, to 6-4 before hanging on for dear life at 6-5!
Our other goals came from Rory (2), Zac (1) and Austin (1). Our goals were very good moves whilst EP's were a bit fortunate with one long range shot which our stand-in keeper William misjudged. Having said that William pulled off two brilliant saves to keep us ahead.
Overall we can take great positives about our speed in counter attack and of course our firepower in scoring goals. We could be more composed and pass and move more and we need to give more options to the players in possession - particularly playing from defence as we can get trapped in.
Overall though a fab result against a very strong team. Well done.
Tuesday, 9 January 2018
MATCH REPORT - SAT 25 NOVEMBER
ROCKETS 5 - 3 TARVIN STRIPES
After a quick pitch inspection at Waverton we jumped in the cars and headed to the snow covered surface of the 4G where we invented a new game which was a cross between ice-skating and football.
To say the conditions were challenging was an understatement and the boys could not get their passing game going and when we did put the ball through to Harry it was impossible to run with as the ball bobbled about all over the place.
After Harry had put us ahead we ended the half 1-3 down. With Tarvin's best player causing us issues at the back, we had to regroup with the unbeaten record in danger!
The boys stormed back in the second half with goals from Zaz and a brilliant hat-trick from Austin. Our tackling, passing and speed was much better in the second half and we created lots of chances and had relatively few problems at the back (other than William's frozen feet!).
MOTM went to Austin for a tremendous hat-trick to keep our record going.
Well done boys.
After a quick pitch inspection at Waverton we jumped in the cars and headed to the snow covered surface of the 4G where we invented a new game which was a cross between ice-skating and football.
To say the conditions were challenging was an understatement and the boys could not get their passing game going and when we did put the ball through to Harry it was impossible to run with as the ball bobbled about all over the place.
After Harry had put us ahead we ended the half 1-3 down. With Tarvin's best player causing us issues at the back, we had to regroup with the unbeaten record in danger!
The boys stormed back in the second half with goals from Zaz and a brilliant hat-trick from Austin. Our tackling, passing and speed was much better in the second half and we created lots of chances and had relatively few problems at the back (other than William's frozen feet!).
MOTM went to Austin for a tremendous hat-trick to keep our record going.
Well done boys.
Saturday, 18 November 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 18 NOVEMBER
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!
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!
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.
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