CHESTER NOMADS 3 - 4 ROCKETS
An awesome performance from the boys against a decent Nomads outfit, which takes us to two wins from two and is a fine start to the season.
After going 1-0 down in an evenly matched opening the boys got back in it after Xander broke down the right, skipped two tackles and crossed to Rory who volleyed home for 1-1.
The 2nd quarter ended 3-3 after the boys went 3-1 up through another Rory goal and an unfortunate own goal. We then conceded two quick goals, first from a mix up at the back and then Nomads capitalising from us not clearing our lines.
Going into the last half of the match both teams really went for it and Hugo pulled off some fine saves to keep us level. Rory got us the winner after Bailey broke up the play and crossed for Rory to scramble it home.
Everyone played their part in a victory that was well deserved. We finished the match on top and going into the 3rd minute of injury time (!!!) we didn't panic.
MOTM was a tough call - everyone was brilliant. Rory with another hat-trick, Hugo with some amazing saves and William a stalwart in defence were all in the frame. The award though went to Xander who epitomized what we talked about in terms of positional play, desire to get up and down and 100% effort.
Great result boys. This was one of our best performances, against a very good side.
Sunday, 17 September 2017
Saturday, 9 September 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 9 SEPT
ROCKETS 3 - 1 ELTON YOUTH
After a good training session and with our whole squad available we produced a brilliant display and scored goals from three great moves.
The boys started really well and coped with the terrible conditions. Bearing in mind the bigger pitch, new size ball and mud we produced some good passing football. A through ball to Rory put us 1-0 up after a composed rounding of the keeper and finish.
Elton always work hard and fight, and in Danny and Reece they have two very good players. They got level with their first real attack after a solid shot took a deflection and flew past Hugo. The first quarter ended 1-1, after we hit the post and crossbar.
The second quarter was a solid display and the boys finished well on top with George in particular causing damage on the left.
The third quarter was a really good display. Bailey and Xander asked to swop positions with Xander moving into the middle. This gave us a good shape and ensured we had high energy going forward and in recovery from Xander.
Rory put us ahead again after his tenacious attitude paid off in the box and he fired to the top corner. Then brilliant wide play and a cross from Xander was finished again by Rory for his hat trick!
In the 4th quarter our desire to hold out for the win was superb. Solid defending and loads of effort from Zac and Austin saw the boys home.
MOTM was between Xander, Fin and Rory. Hat tricks can't go unrewarded and Rory will captain us next weekend.
Well done lads. Terrific performances from every player.
After a good training session and with our whole squad available we produced a brilliant display and scored goals from three great moves.
The boys started really well and coped with the terrible conditions. Bearing in mind the bigger pitch, new size ball and mud we produced some good passing football. A through ball to Rory put us 1-0 up after a composed rounding of the keeper and finish.
Elton always work hard and fight, and in Danny and Reece they have two very good players. They got level with their first real attack after a solid shot took a deflection and flew past Hugo. The first quarter ended 1-1, after we hit the post and crossbar.
The second quarter was a solid display and the boys finished well on top with George in particular causing damage on the left.
The third quarter was a really good display. Bailey and Xander asked to swop positions with Xander moving into the middle. This gave us a good shape and ensured we had high energy going forward and in recovery from Xander.
Rory put us ahead again after his tenacious attitude paid off in the box and he fired to the top corner. Then brilliant wide play and a cross from Xander was finished again by Rory for his hat trick!
In the 4th quarter our desire to hold out for the win was superb. Solid defending and loads of effort from Zac and Austin saw the boys home.
MOTM was between Xander, Fin and Rory. Hat tricks can't go unrewarded and Rory will captain us next weekend.
Well done lads. Terrific performances from every player.
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
TOURNAMENT REPORTS - 18 AND 24 JUNE
BLACON TOURNAMENT - SEMI-FINALISTS
Great effort to reach the semi-final playing some high calibre teams from North Wales including a very good Conahs Quay outfit.
The boys made it to the semi-final where although they played the better football we went out to an organised Flint team.
PREES TOURNAMENT - QUARTER FINALISTS
The boys played brilliantly and stormed the group stage with 4 wins and 1 draw to win their group and go into the quarters. The style of play, aggression to win the ball, lots of early goals and plenty of clean sheets showed we had learnt how to play tournament football after the experiences at Vauxhall and Blacon.
We scored first in the quarter final from a great Xander break and cross to Rory to side foot home and we were winning 1-0 with the ref indicating 30 seconds to go. We gave a really unfortunate free-kick away (after one of the lads picked up the ball thinking it had gone out!) and we conceded with the last kick of the match to take us to extra time!
After an end to end extra 5 minutes we were making our last sub to get our penalty takers on the pitch when we conceded from an unstoppable shot with 10 seconds remaining.
To say we were unlucky is an understatement. Talking to other coaches it was felt we were the team to beat so its a shame we couldn't progress.
The boys were understandably very frustrated and upset but we will learn from this experience and get stronger. Probably our game management (passing and playing out the game) could have been better as the opposition threw everything at us to try to get something. Fair play to them as well for an unbelievable comeback...
But WELL DONE lads. We played great football all day. We will return to all competitions next season and possible a mini-tour.
Great effort to reach the semi-final playing some high calibre teams from North Wales including a very good Conahs Quay outfit.
The boys made it to the semi-final where although they played the better football we went out to an organised Flint team.
PREES TOURNAMENT - QUARTER FINALISTS
The boys played brilliantly and stormed the group stage with 4 wins and 1 draw to win their group and go into the quarters. The style of play, aggression to win the ball, lots of early goals and plenty of clean sheets showed we had learnt how to play tournament football after the experiences at Vauxhall and Blacon.
We scored first in the quarter final from a great Xander break and cross to Rory to side foot home and we were winning 1-0 with the ref indicating 30 seconds to go. We gave a really unfortunate free-kick away (after one of the lads picked up the ball thinking it had gone out!) and we conceded with the last kick of the match to take us to extra time!
After an end to end extra 5 minutes we were making our last sub to get our penalty takers on the pitch when we conceded from an unstoppable shot with 10 seconds remaining.
To say we were unlucky is an understatement. Talking to other coaches it was felt we were the team to beat so its a shame we couldn't progress.
The boys were understandably very frustrated and upset but we will learn from this experience and get stronger. Probably our game management (passing and playing out the game) could have been better as the opposition threw everything at us to try to get something. Fair play to them as well for an unbelievable comeback...
But WELL DONE lads. We played great football all day. We will return to all competitions next season and possible a mini-tour.
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
TOURNAMENT REPORT - SAT 10 JUNE
JOINT 3rd in Group - VAUXHALL TOURNAMENT
After stepping up a level in recent weeks, playing and beating Nomads and Tarvin A we arrived in fine form and spirits.
Drawn in Group B against two TNS sides, Vauxhall, Elton, Victoria Colts and Whitby we realised our task was somewhat daunting with more than a sprinkling of academy players in our group.
We started uncharacteristically slowly and after missing tackles and defensive mistakes we lost the first game 2-0 to Victoria Colts which was then followed by a really unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Vauxhall after we dominated and hit the post twice before conceding an unlucky goal at the death.
The boys began to realise that silly lapses in concentration get punished in tournament football as there is no time to get back into the match. For the first time since last October the coaches needed to be honest with the boys about their effort levels and tackling aggression.
The lads really stepped up over the next three games taking 7 from 9 points and putting us in touching distance of the semi-final. We beat Whitby 1-0 with a fine move and goal involving Rory who crossed to Austin for the winner. We then drew 0-0 with Elton in a tight game.
Our best moment came against TNS, who had some really talented players. Most of the TNS lads played on the emotional edge but one lad in particular had spent most of the previous 4 games moaning at the ref, throwing himself to the ground, crying and generally being unmanageable - HE WAS OUR TARGET!
We went 1-0 down from a unfortunate goalkeeping moment but the boys worked really hard as we switched from 3 defenders to a 2-2-2 system with Xander joining Rory. Xander equalised with his first kick and then Rory got us the winner for one of the more memorable victories and to claim a good scalp! There was just time for Will B to completely take out the TNS defender with a X-rated assault and for Hugo to make up for his error with a fine save from the resulting free-kick.
In the final game we probably went too attacking but we needed 3 points to progress. Unfortunately our concentration seemed spent as on two occasions the TNS forward got in behind us to score. The game finished 4-0 but we were beaten by a very good team.
Overall the boys can be proud, especially in 4 of the 6 games. We can take the positives that in other than the last game we competed at a high level and were 'in' all the matches. We must though start with more intent in short games and we absolutely have to concentrate on the players around us defensively against talented sides.
Bring on Blacon and Prees!
After stepping up a level in recent weeks, playing and beating Nomads and Tarvin A we arrived in fine form and spirits.
Drawn in Group B against two TNS sides, Vauxhall, Elton, Victoria Colts and Whitby we realised our task was somewhat daunting with more than a sprinkling of academy players in our group.
We started uncharacteristically slowly and after missing tackles and defensive mistakes we lost the first game 2-0 to Victoria Colts which was then followed by a really unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Vauxhall after we dominated and hit the post twice before conceding an unlucky goal at the death.
The boys began to realise that silly lapses in concentration get punished in tournament football as there is no time to get back into the match. For the first time since last October the coaches needed to be honest with the boys about their effort levels and tackling aggression.
The lads really stepped up over the next three games taking 7 from 9 points and putting us in touching distance of the semi-final. We beat Whitby 1-0 with a fine move and goal involving Rory who crossed to Austin for the winner. We then drew 0-0 with Elton in a tight game.
Our best moment came against TNS, who had some really talented players. Most of the TNS lads played on the emotional edge but one lad in particular had spent most of the previous 4 games moaning at the ref, throwing himself to the ground, crying and generally being unmanageable - HE WAS OUR TARGET!
We went 1-0 down from a unfortunate goalkeeping moment but the boys worked really hard as we switched from 3 defenders to a 2-2-2 system with Xander joining Rory. Xander equalised with his first kick and then Rory got us the winner for one of the more memorable victories and to claim a good scalp! There was just time for Will B to completely take out the TNS defender with a X-rated assault and for Hugo to make up for his error with a fine save from the resulting free-kick.
In the final game we probably went too attacking but we needed 3 points to progress. Unfortunately our concentration seemed spent as on two occasions the TNS forward got in behind us to score. The game finished 4-0 but we were beaten by a very good team.
Overall the boys can be proud, especially in 4 of the 6 games. We can take the positives that in other than the last game we competed at a high level and were 'in' all the matches. We must though start with more intent in short games and we absolutely have to concentrate on the players around us defensively against talented sides.
Bring on Blacon and Prees!
Monday, 5 June 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 3 JUNE
ROCKETS 7 - 4 TARVIN A
The boys claimed another A team scalp as they extended an impressive run ahead of us joining the Blue A league and Cup next season.
Tarvin arrived in confident mood, with some talented players, after doing well in the Cheshire West league. The Rockets intensity though appeared to shock Tarvin who struggled early on with our pace, pressure and speed of play.
The boys went 2-0 through Rory and Xander and were dominating play. As it looked as though it could be a very high score line Tarvin's no.7 woke up and started to trouble us down our right before they got one back to make the score line 2-1.
The boys continued to play their football and a number of brilliant goals followed including a headed goal and the sweetest of strikes from Austin (2) and then Rory extending his goal scoring run to 35 for the season with goals 2, 3 and 4. The 4th was a mazy run past three defenders and cool finish.
Tarvin's no.7 kept them in the game with 3 excellent individual goals but we continued to create chance after chance and we looked a threat every time we went forward. Some good goalkeeping kept the score line down.
The game ended 7-4, and we move onto tournament football for the next three weeks. If we play with the same intensity and desire we can do well.
MOTM went to Austin as he was absolutely everywhere, tackling and tracking and then with head up he played some super football. 12 goals for Austin in only half a season from midfield is a testimony to how well he has done bearing in mind he always tracks back and covers.
Well done boys. A great league and Shield season!
The boys claimed another A team scalp as they extended an impressive run ahead of us joining the Blue A league and Cup next season.
Tarvin arrived in confident mood, with some talented players, after doing well in the Cheshire West league. The Rockets intensity though appeared to shock Tarvin who struggled early on with our pace, pressure and speed of play.
The boys went 2-0 through Rory and Xander and were dominating play. As it looked as though it could be a very high score line Tarvin's no.7 woke up and started to trouble us down our right before they got one back to make the score line 2-1.
The boys continued to play their football and a number of brilliant goals followed including a headed goal and the sweetest of strikes from Austin (2) and then Rory extending his goal scoring run to 35 for the season with goals 2, 3 and 4. The 4th was a mazy run past three defenders and cool finish.
Tarvin's no.7 kept them in the game with 3 excellent individual goals but we continued to create chance after chance and we looked a threat every time we went forward. Some good goalkeeping kept the score line down.
The game ended 7-4, and we move onto tournament football for the next three weeks. If we play with the same intensity and desire we can do well.
MOTM went to Austin as he was absolutely everywhere, tackling and tracking and then with head up he played some super football. 12 goals for Austin in only half a season from midfield is a testimony to how well he has done bearing in mind he always tracks back and covers.
Well done boys. A great league and Shield season!
Tuesday, 30 May 2017
MATCH REPORT - SAT 27 MAY
ROCKETS 11 - 2 WARRIORS
A decent result and game which was a lot closer than the score line suggests.
Our U8s Warriors certainly gave the Rockets a shock as they started brilliantly and went 0-2 up. Quite a start as our boys have not been behind in a first quarter since October! A fine second goal from the Warriors woke the boys up and in fairness we didn't panic and we eventually found our passing boots!
Over the next 30 minutes we created loads of good moments as we upped the intensity of tackle, passing and moving. Some of the lads had been slightly selfish on the ball in the opening 10 minutes but once our heads were cleared we played some nice football.
Three of the boys hit hat-tricks - Xander, George and Rory. Austin and Zac both scored quality goals and Austin nearly grabbed a 'worldie' as his long range curler crashed off the post.
Our Warriors are going to be quite a team as they will soon gain the fluency of passing and confidence we have seen develop this year. Both Paul and I felt the Warriors are ahead of the where the Rockets were last year, which is testament to both sides.
In the final play the Warriors tore us to shreds and were unlucky not to grab the goal of the match.
Well done to both sides. MOTM went to Zac for a brilliant display.
A decent result and game which was a lot closer than the score line suggests.
Our U8s Warriors certainly gave the Rockets a shock as they started brilliantly and went 0-2 up. Quite a start as our boys have not been behind in a first quarter since October! A fine second goal from the Warriors woke the boys up and in fairness we didn't panic and we eventually found our passing boots!
Over the next 30 minutes we created loads of good moments as we upped the intensity of tackle, passing and moving. Some of the lads had been slightly selfish on the ball in the opening 10 minutes but once our heads were cleared we played some nice football.
Three of the boys hit hat-tricks - Xander, George and Rory. Austin and Zac both scored quality goals and Austin nearly grabbed a 'worldie' as his long range curler crashed off the post.
Our Warriors are going to be quite a team as they will soon gain the fluency of passing and confidence we have seen develop this year. Both Paul and I felt the Warriors are ahead of the where the Rockets were last year, which is testament to both sides.
In the final play the Warriors tore us to shreds and were unlucky not to grab the goal of the match.
Well done to both sides. MOTM went to Zac for a brilliant display.
Thursday, 25 May 2017
MATCH REPORT - WEDS 24 MARCH
ROCKETS 6 - 1 CHESTER NOMADS
After Saturday's performance we thought it couldn't get any better. The boys certainly hit the same levels and overall the performance was marginally better as it involved more of the squad, more rotations and against more talented opposition.
The Nomads manager was 100% correct in his analysis of the match. We competed more, we were more athletic and we wanted it badly. Every time Nomads got the ball we had two players at their heels. Even better was when we got the ball we were relaxed in passing moves or we hit that direct pass to Rory or Wills - which was the plan! Jurgen Klopp would have been delighted.
After the first 12 minutes the score was still 0-0 but goodness knows how. We had 5 clear chances but Josh pulled off some incredible saves.
We switched it about in like-for-like positions, showing how balanced we are as squad. Wills then entered the fray and looked like a boy possessed after his '"suspension" last week! It was like Luis Suarez returning! After great work from George, Wills hassled the defender who lost possession for Fin to cross and Wills finished with his left.
Over the course of the next 12 minutes we played some outstanding football and we got Wills away again for him to follow up with a 2nd and then his hat-trick before going off with a rather large smile on his face. Fin and Zac were getting about Nomads and breaking the play. Hugo kept Nomads at bay with two crucial saves.
At 3-0 down any opposition does not want to see Rory, Harry, Bailey and Austin come back on! We knew that Nomads would come at us and they played some lovely football for a period and upped their work rate. This resulted in them scoring a good goal and sensing a come-back might be on.
Rory though had other ideas as he got clear twice to put us 5-1 up. The second was a thunderbolt finish. After Harry had hit the bar with a long ranger it was for Austin to put the icing on the cake with a lovely run and finish.
Everyone was awesome but two players caught the eye tonight and should be very proud of their performances. Alex was superb - rugged in defence and showing a turn of pace going forward. MOTM went to Wills for his team play, work rate and goals.
Zac and Austin bossed the midfield, and Charlie and William were rock solid and calm at the back against some talented forwards.
Overall the controlled aggression level was perfect - something the boys have really perfected since Christmas. Being hard working, tough but fair will get us a long way as have plenty of flair going forward.
Well done everyone.
After Saturday's performance we thought it couldn't get any better. The boys certainly hit the same levels and overall the performance was marginally better as it involved more of the squad, more rotations and against more talented opposition.
The Nomads manager was 100% correct in his analysis of the match. We competed more, we were more athletic and we wanted it badly. Every time Nomads got the ball we had two players at their heels. Even better was when we got the ball we were relaxed in passing moves or we hit that direct pass to Rory or Wills - which was the plan! Jurgen Klopp would have been delighted.
After the first 12 minutes the score was still 0-0 but goodness knows how. We had 5 clear chances but Josh pulled off some incredible saves.
We switched it about in like-for-like positions, showing how balanced we are as squad. Wills then entered the fray and looked like a boy possessed after his '"suspension" last week! It was like Luis Suarez returning! After great work from George, Wills hassled the defender who lost possession for Fin to cross and Wills finished with his left.
Over the course of the next 12 minutes we played some outstanding football and we got Wills away again for him to follow up with a 2nd and then his hat-trick before going off with a rather large smile on his face. Fin and Zac were getting about Nomads and breaking the play. Hugo kept Nomads at bay with two crucial saves.
At 3-0 down any opposition does not want to see Rory, Harry, Bailey and Austin come back on! We knew that Nomads would come at us and they played some lovely football for a period and upped their work rate. This resulted in them scoring a good goal and sensing a come-back might be on.
Rory though had other ideas as he got clear twice to put us 5-1 up. The second was a thunderbolt finish. After Harry had hit the bar with a long ranger it was for Austin to put the icing on the cake with a lovely run and finish.
Everyone was awesome but two players caught the eye tonight and should be very proud of their performances. Alex was superb - rugged in defence and showing a turn of pace going forward. MOTM went to Wills for his team play, work rate and goals.
Zac and Austin bossed the midfield, and Charlie and William were rock solid and calm at the back against some talented forwards.
Overall the controlled aggression level was perfect - something the boys have really perfected since Christmas. Being hard working, tough but fair will get us a long way as have plenty of flair going forward.
Well done everyone.
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