Winning Start For Rocklands In Hard-Fought Match At Sheringham

<p>The sky was overcast and spitting rain as the team began to arrive at Sheringham Recreation Ground for their first competitive game of the season. &nbsp;A strong wind swirling in from the sea it looked like being tough conditions. &nbsp;The pitch was immaculate and a fantastic playing surface - great job by Sheringham's groundsman!

<p>Rob went with a well tested 4-4-1-1 formation with Charlie providing support to Marc and Joseph T and Louis on the wings. &nbsp;Rocklands were expecting a tough game from their East Coast Warrior opponents.

<p>The rain thankfully held off, although the wind stayed for the entire match. &nbsp;From kick off, both teams battled for control of the midfield with few clear chances or incidents in the first five minutes.

<p>After seven minutes, Matty Noonan had to be alive to a shot from some distance and although he parried it well, the ball ran free. &nbsp;Joseph T was on hand to clear the danger though. &nbsp;Shortly afterwards, Luke and Joseph S combined to clear a further Warriors attack. &nbsp;Warriors were playing some good football, but the Rocklands defence was holding firm. &nbsp;Both fullbacks making several effective clearances under pressure. &nbsp;Callum put in an impressive performance at left back with a series of headers and tackles and his pace frequently enabled him to cover his winger and clear for a throw in.

<p>On 10 minutes, Marc broke clear of the last man following a ball by Ewan into the channels. &nbsp;He looked to be in on goal, but the defender clipped his heels before he could break free and Rocklands were awarded a free kick. &nbsp;

<p>It was not one way traffic though and on twelve minutes Warriors had a shot from 20 yards which Matty saved comfortably. &nbsp;There followed a spell of some good football with Rocklands winning their defensive battles and feeding the ball forward with composure. &nbsp;Luke was a physical presence at the back and Joseph G was calm in his distribution. &nbsp;On 20 minutes, the Rocklands midfield again set Marc through on goal but the Warriors 'keeper was quick off his line to block. &nbsp;This was to be a theme throughout the game, with the fast pitch and the Warriors goalkeeper combining to make it difficult to capitalise on the through balls. &nbsp;A late challenge in the 22nd minute provided a free kick opportunity for Rocklands, with Louis hoisting the ball into the swirling winds towards the goal. &nbsp;It was met by Ewan's head but had more height than power and the Warriors keeper gathered under the bar. &nbsp;Shortly afterwards in the 25th minute, some immaculate control by Ewan in the centre of the park followed by a through ball created another chance for Marc. &nbsp;But again the 'keeper was rapidly off his line.

<p>Rocklands were playing some great football across the entire team and Warriors battled hard to get back into the game. &nbsp;Joseph G put some crunching challenges into midfield to impose Rocklands control. &nbsp;On 29 minutes, Louis played a great through ball between the full back and the centre back setting Marc free. &nbsp;He was aware of the Warriors keeper rushing out and went for the lob...with the ball dipping just over. &nbsp;

<p>Partnerships were emerging across the pitch with Joseph S and Joseph G covering for each other well and playing the ball out of defence to set Rocklands on the attack again. &nbsp;Eliot and Louis were working up and down the right hand side and Joseph T and Callum dovetailed perfectly down the left. &nbsp;The midfield looked fluid with someone always covering and Ewan breaking forwards. &nbsp;Charlie held the ball up well and played some great interchanges with Marc. &nbsp;Rocklands were looking comfortable, but just couldnt get the breakthrough.

<p>On 32 minutes, Warriors got forward down the right hand side and for the first time managed to get past the Rocklands defence. &nbsp;They swung a ball into the box and Matty Noonan claimed under pressure from several players. &nbsp;Shortly afterwards, Rocklands won a corner which Joseph S fired in to the near post, but it was cleared. &nbsp;Suddenly, on 34 minutes, Warriors broke free and looked to have a great chance before Luke put in a great tackle and cleared the ball to safety.

<p>Just before half time, Warriors had a goal kick. &nbsp;With a strong wind towards them, their 'keeper struggled to get distance on the kick and it fell to Marc Riley. &nbsp;He bore down on goal, but scuffed his shot slightly only to see it beat the keeper and roll into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. &nbsp;

<p>1-0 to Rocklands!

<p>Almost as soon as Warriors had kicked off, the whistle went for half time. &nbsp;In the second half, Rocklands were playing into the wind, which had got stronger as the gamne progressed. &nbsp;The team continued to battle for the ball and Joseph Spoerry conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. &nbsp;However, Matty Noonan was able to save the resultant shot. &nbsp;Warriors kept up the pressure, winning a corner which was well cleared by Joseph Spoerry who won several aerial challenges throughout the match. &nbsp;Three substitutions early in the second half provided some fresh legs. &nbsp;Although Warriors soon fired a shot low and only just wide of the goal after 39 minutes. &nbsp;Ryan putting in an industrious performance since coming on as a substitute and conceded a free kic on the edge of the area. &nbsp;Warriors crossed into the area and the ball was headed wide. &nbsp;This was a warning of more pressure to come. &nbsp;In the 44th minute, Warriors won a corner on the left. &nbsp;The ball was crossed deep towards the far post and met by a diving header. &nbsp;It seemed like a certain goal, until Matty Noonan somehow managed to block from point blank range. &nbsp;The ball eventually cleared up and over the crossbar. &nbsp;Rocklands were living dangerously.

<p>Eliot Clarke was working hard down the right hand side with a mixture of stamina and controlled aggression. &nbsp;He overlapped Ryan on the wing and played a sumptuous through ball which was latched onto by Marc Riley. &nbsp;Marc didn't wait for the 'keeper to come out and drilled a shot low and hard, but the Warriors goalie saved well. &nbsp;This was the start of a spell of Rocklands pressure with the midfield dominating and carving out chances for Ryan and Charlie, but the keeper was able to smother them. &nbsp;Then, on 54 minutes, Warriors won a free kick on the left hand edge of the Rocklands area following a counter attack. &nbsp;They crossed to the far side and a shot beat the defence, only to rebound from the right hand post.

<p>Some good football by Rocklands without creating chances for the next 10 minutes, then on 66 minutes, Ewan Ford picked the ball up just outside the Warriors area. &nbsp;He beat the first player, then burst past another two players and flicked a shot goalwards only to see it bounce agonizingly wide.

<p>Warriors were proving a threat on the break and Matty had to be quick off his line to claim a 1 on 1, only to be clattered by the advancing striker. &nbsp;A couple of minutes later, he had to dive low to save another shot from the edge of the area.

<p>The end to end football continued. &nbsp;On 69 minutes, Ewan went around the keeper only to see his shot blocked. &nbsp;On 70 minutes, Charlie and Marc played a great 1-2 but just couldn't get the shot away and were closed down.

<p>With time running out, it was nearly disaster for Rocklands. &nbsp;Hesitation at the back between defence and goalkeeper let a Warriors forward in. &nbsp;He lobbed Matty, but the ball bounced off the bar and over. &nbsp;Into added time and Hayden made a great last ditch challenge to block the ball inside the Rocklands penalty area. &nbsp;All the hard work was nearly undone when Warriors broke free in the dying seconds. &nbsp;Matty shot off his line and made a diving save at the strikers feet to close the game out.

<p>An excellent team performance against a very good Warriors side. &nbsp;Rocklands could have scored more given the chances, but Warriors were also unlucky to have hit the woodwork a couple of times. &nbsp;Rob commented to the team afterwards that 'desire' had been a key factor in the win and that he was very pleased with the performance.