Weeting 6 vs 1 Rocklands U13

<p>A bright Winter's morning away at Weeting. &nbsp;Due to the team not having a league fixture this week, Rob had managed to secure a friendly against Weeting. &nbsp;Rocklands and Weeting had met several times last season in the South Norfolk League and the games always proved to be tough, competitive fixtures.

<p>Rocklands were starting this match without their regular Goalkeeper Matthew Noonan and therefore Charlie Matthews was drafted into goal. &nbsp;It was to prove a tough day and one where Charlie's defensive postional sense was much missed at the back.

<p>The game started with both sides playing some good football and seeking to pass the ball around. &nbsp;But there were barely 5 minutes on the clock when a defensive mix-up between centre-back and goalkeeper left the Weeting striker with an open goal. 1-0 Weeting.

<p>Rocklands were managing to make good progress down both flanks with Joseph Thompson on the left and Ewan Ford on the right. &nbsp;A couple of decent crosses, but no clear-cut chances. &nbsp;Rocklands were further stretched when Marc Riley went off injured only shortly after the first goal. &nbsp;Ben Daynes came into the fray with Ewan Ford moving to centre forward.

<p>Weeting were causing panic at the back for Rocklands and soon added a second after another defensive mistake. &nbsp;The Rocklands centre backs were pushing out, but with full backs playing the onrushing striker onside. &nbsp;Time after time, the ball over the top caught Rocklands out and Charlie could do nothing to keep the second out. &nbsp;2-0 Weeting

<p>This seemed to spur Rocklands into life - Joe G was bustling around the midfield, exploding tackles eveywhere and Ben Daynes was playing some intelligent through balls. &nbsp;Eventually, Rocklands won a corner which was swung into the box. &nbsp;Weeting cleared, but only to the edge of the area where Ryan Clarke spread it wide to Ben Daynes. &nbsp;Ben hoisted a huge 'up and under' into the area which the Weeting 'keeper flapped at. &nbsp;With the 'keeper on the floor, it looked as though Rocklands were going to score, when the Weeting defender blatantly knocked the ball away with his hand. &nbsp;The referee awarded a penalty to Rocklands - in a competitive game, the defender might have been lucky to stay on the pitch!

<p>Ben Daynes stepped up to take the penalty, but instead of using his power he opted to place the ball low into the corner. &nbsp;The 'keeper had no chance and Rocklands were back into the game 2-1.

<p>The first half wound down with Rocklands playing some good football going forwards, but looking decidely shaky at the back.

<p>Second Half

<p>Whatever Rob said to the team at half time seemed to work well. &nbsp;The team came out fired up and for the first ten minutes of the second half, played some of their most devasting attacking football this season. &nbsp;Time and again, the Rocklands players combined to carve open the Weeting defence who were well and truly rocking. &nbsp;Chances fell to J.Thompson, E.Ford, R.Clarke but they weren't converted.

<p>However, Weeting soon steadied the ship and started launching long balls over the Rocklands back four. &nbsp;The team still hadn't figured out when to drop and when to hold a line, leaving Weeting players with several 1-on-1's against a stand-in goalkeeper. &nbsp;Weeting scored three in quick succession with their fifth coming from a hopeful punt from the Weeting 'keeper which bounced right over the Rocklands defence for the striker to tuck home. &nbsp;Much more work required on the back four - All of them guilty at times of standing watching the play ahead of them, 20-30 yards behind the rest of their defensive colleagues. &nbsp;Must work harder boys and stay more switched on.

<p>Rocklands still had time for a few attacking thrusts and Joseph Thompson eventually broke through 1-on-1 with the Weeting 'keeper. &nbsp;He opted to try and lob, but saw his shot bounce back off the bar. &nbsp;Ewan Ford followed up with a great header, which the 'keeper managed to get fingertips to and touch over.

<p>On another day, Rocklands could have scored several more goals themselves. &nbsp;Ben Daynes brought some real intelligence & quality to the passing in midfield. &nbsp;The defensive unit were well below their performance against Fakenham, although it will always be tough with the enforced changes.

<p>Weeting added a sixth to finish the game. 6-1

<p>Let's hope there's not too much turkey over Christmas and the team can come back fighting in the New Year