Rocklands U13 3 vs 0 Toftwood

<p>Another cold morning at Great Ellingham on a pitch that had held up well under recent rain/snow.&nbsp; This fixture had fallen foul of the weather on several occasions, so it was great to finally be able to play it.

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<p>With Rocklands missing top scorer Mark Riley, there were a few positional changes for the home team.&nbsp; Ewan Ford moving to centre forward, flanked by Louis Fraser and Joseph Thompson.&nbsp; Behind them, a three man midfield of Callum, Joseph Gyde and Eliot Clarke.&nbsp; Charlie Matthews made his return from injury at the heart of the defence, alongside Joseph Spoerry with Sam and Luke as marauding wing backs.&nbsp; Matty Noonan in goal.

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<p>Rocklands started very brightly and played some great passing football.&nbsp; Spreading the ball wide and with lots of movement across the pitch.&nbsp; An early move saw Joseph Thompson feed Ewan Ford, who flicked the ball into the right hand channel for the onrushing Eliot Clarke.&nbsp; Eliot connected well, but saw his shot scream just over the bar.&nbsp; The Toftwood defence was struggling to cope with the movement of Rocklands.&nbsp; It was not all one way traffic though and Toftwood did break forward several times - their wingers showing good pace and control.&nbsp; Ewan burst through one on one, but his attempted chip was saved by the 'keeper.&nbsp; The central defensive partnership of Charlie and Joseph was looking solid though.&nbsp; Charlie attacking several through balls and sliding in to clear danger, whilst Joseph provided the cover and mopped up anything in behind.&nbsp; Sam Parsons continued his spell of continuous improvement at left back.&nbsp; He never looked in trouble and showed good composure several times to build attacks from the back.&nbsp; The defence as a whole looked solid throughout the game and Matty was looking sharp behind them.&nbsp; It's always tempting in reports to focus on the scorers and the team going forward, but today the defence was the platform on which the performance was built.&nbsp; Rob Matthews commented that the MOTM could have easily gone to Sam or Charlie as well for their performances.

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<p>At centre forward, Ewan brings a different style of play to the team - positioning himself on the shoulder of the last man and looking to use his pace in behind.&nbsp; He also acts as a target for the ball into feet.&nbsp; It was midway through the first half when Ewan created the next opening for Rocklands.&nbsp; Controlling the ball in the area, he looked to turn and toed the ball past the defender.&nbsp; The challenge came in, missed the ball and took the player.&nbsp; Penalty to Rocklands.&nbsp; Ewan calmly placed the ball low and to the left, leaving the 'keeper with no chance.

<p>There were a couple of other chances for Rocklands, with both Louis and Joseph T showing great industry down both wings and cutting inside.&nbsp; A few half chances fell to Rocklands, but the Toftwood 'keeper was in fine form and looked very capable.

<p>The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Rocklands dominating possession and playing the better football.&nbsp; The team looks much more composed at the back and willing to play the ball out.&nbsp; It was the usual industrious performance from Joseph G, winning the ball back and helping Rocklands control the centre of the pitch.&nbsp; At times, the ball forwards was either a little too slow or overhit - but with practice this will improve.&nbsp; The team has to adjust to playing the ball into space sometimes, rather than just to feet.

<p>Toftwood didn't give up and showed determination to battle their way back into the game.&nbsp; They broke clear of the Rocklands back four for probably the only time in the game, but the shot skewed wide.&nbsp; Both teams stepped up the tackles and there were a few scrappy fouls.&nbsp; One down the left hand side when Joseph T had beaten his marker again, but was pulled back.&nbsp; The Rocklands players lined up in the area for the cross to be swung in, but Ben Daynes had other ideas.&nbsp; He simply crashed the free kick off the 'keeper and bar before it crossed the line.&nbsp; 3-0 Rocklands.&nbsp; The midfield seemed to tire towards the end of the game on what had become a slightly heavy, sticky pitch, but they had done enough.

<p>One further late chance for Rocklands when a shot took a deflection and looked to be going in, but the Toftwood 'keeper dived low and left to tip it around the post.&nbsp; Several players who could have claimed the MOTM, but Louis worked hard up and down the right hand side and helped keep the ball moving constantly.

<p>Strong all round performance - never looking very threatened at the back.&nbsp; Well done boys - only one league game left.

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