Rockland Youth Match Reports - January 2009

We were finally able to play a match after having the last two fixtures cancelled due to frozen pitches. Here is the report:

On a bright, sunny morning it was pleasing to find the pitch playable but soft and wet for this first leg of the Cup semi-final with Cringleford.

Both sides started brightly and each missed scoring chances.  Chilly was enjoying a good game on the left side and twice went close to opening the scoring.  Frankie also went close with two powerful long-range shots but, slightly against the run of play, Cringleford took the lead.  While Matty continued to look lively up front, Chilly went close with a shot from the edge of the area and Frankie was unlucky to clip the post.  Ashley was also unlucky not to score when the Cringleford keeper failed to hold a cross-shot.

Cringleford scored twice on the break to take a 3 – 0 lead and went very close to stretching that lead on more than one occasion in the second half but, when their keeper failed to gather a shot, Matty was on hand to pull one back.  This lifted the Bulldogs and when Josh played the ball forward to Matty and he out-paced the full back and cut inside a retreating Cringleford defender to net with a Bulldogs 2 – 3 Cringleford

crisp drive.  An excellent goal which left the tie close for the second leg.

Matty was awarded Man of the Match by the Cringleford manager in a good competitive game.

Report written by Coach John Street

 Dereham Diamonds 0 – 21 Rocklands Bulldogs

On a cold and wet morning in Dereham, Bulldogs enjoyed a convincing victory.  The pick of the goals included a fine team goal where a quick, accurate kick from Giles put Chilly in possession and he laid the ball inside to Josh before running down the left wing to receive the pass back.  He then manoeuvred past two defenders before putting in an excellent cross from which Frankie was able to score..  Ashley scored with an excellent shot from outside the area which finished high into the net and Oliver’s flashing header from Frankie’s ball into the box also caught the eye.

In the second half Frankie’s drive into the top corner and Ashley’s lob were the pick of the goals.

Dereham had no answer to Matty, Frankie and Ashley’s powerful runs but, true to form, never gave up.

The scorers for Bulldogs were: Frankie 7 (1 pen), Ashley 4, Matty 4, Oliver 4, and Chilly 2.

Frankie was awarded Man of the Match by the Dereham manager.

Match report written by Coach John Street.

22 February 2008

Cringleford 6 – 4 Bulldogs

After relative inactivity over the last month, due to bad weather causing postponement of matches and cancellation of training sessions, Bulldogs made a slow start to this second leg of the Cup Semi-final at Cringleford.  Already 3 – 2 down from the first leg, indecisive defending allowed Cringleford to score three early goals in quick succession.     A neat passing move gave Oliver the opportunity to set up Chilly and he finished well but Cringleford added two further goals before the interval and, indeed, only some good saves by Giles kept the half-time score at 5 – 1.

Playing down the hill in the second half Bulldogs picked up their game. Frankie went close with a long range shot and the Cringleford keeper made an excellent saves from Chilly..  Ashley was adjudged to have been fouled inside the area and Chris slotted home from the penalty spot.  A long throw from Ashley was flicked in by Chris and Ashley scored from a cross shot.  Cringleford added another on a counter-attack but it was a spirited second-half display from the Bulldogs to regain some pride.

Final score: Cringleford 6 – 4 Bulldogs (Cringleford win 9 – 6 on aggregate)

Giles was awarded Man of the Match by the opposition manager.

Match report written by Coach John Street