Rockland Youth Match Reports - March 2009

Bulldogs 4 – 1 Wymondham

On a cool overcast day, the pitch was firm and ideal for football.  Bulldogs started brightly and took the lead with a well constructed goal – an excellent pass out wide found Ashley with time and space and his cross was met with a first-time shot into the far corner from Oliver.  Bulldogs continued to press forward and Ashley added their second with a neat finish.  Wymondham constantly threatened on the counter-attack and pulled a goal back with a well-executed lob over the advancing Giles.  Sam made an excellent headed clearance on the goal-line to prevent Wymondham equalising from a free kick.

Giles made several important saves in the second half, advancing from his line to deal particularly well with through balls. Matty scored an excellent individual goal to increase the Bulldogs’ lead. His perseverance in jostling for the ball in midfield resulted in a right-wing burst which became a goal-scoring opportunity when he surged between to covering defenders and he placed his shot wide of the keeper.  An excellent team goal put the result beyond doubt. A ball played forward to Oliver was turned into Ashley’s path. He drew two defenders before sliding his pass in to Matty who placed his shot wide of the advancing keeper.

Giles was awarded Man of the Match.

Bulldogs 6 – 1 Cringleford

In very difficult playing conditions, including pouring rain, a strong swirling wind and, by the end of the match, a very wet pitch, Bulldogs enjoyed an excellent victory over Cringleford.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Bulldogs pinned Cringleford into their own half and eventually took the lead when Jordan converted a Frankie corner.  A second goal arrived soon after when good wing play involving Chilly and Ashley resulted in a dangerous cross which a defender knocked past his keeper for a 2 – 0 half time score.

With the rain becoming heavier as the second half commenced, Bulldogs - lifted by their lead - played some good passing football and AK marked his debut by netting from close range to make it 3 – 0.  An excellent pass from Ashley put Oliver on the run and he pulled the covering defenders before laying his pass into Jordan’s path.  The keeper parried Jordan’s low shot but Oliver was following in and lashed the ball into the roof of the net.  Sam continued to make excellent interceptions to put Bulldogs back into attack and Jordan netted his second of the game to make it 5 – 0.  Cringleford pulled a goal back when a forward was allowed too much time in the box and picked his spot well.  An excellent Jonty tackle prevented a second and Giles, who had been decisive all afternoon, made two fine saves.  Jordan twice went close to completing his hat-trick but the sixth goal was worth waiting for - Ashley intercepted a miss-hit goal kick and dispatched the ball into the top corner with a swerving shot.

Sam was awarded man of the match by the Cringleford manager but the whole team played extremely well in very difficult conditions.

Bulldogs 13 – 3 Garboldisham

Bulldogs were quick off the mark on a bright, sunny morning scoring three goals in the first five minutes.  Ashley opened the scoring with a header from the first corner.  Chilly drove in Jordan’s cross and Oliver tapped in after the keeper parried Frankie’s shot.  AK scored with a flying header shortly afterwards and Oliver drove home to make it five. Two further goals were disallowed for offside and it was disappointing that these included an excellent drive into the top corner from Frankie.  Ashley and Frankie went on to score, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 7 – 0 at half time.

Garboldisham came more into the game in the second half and scored twice from good breaks and once from the penalty spot.  However Bulldogs added a further six.   Ashley completed his hat-trick with a penalty after Oliver was brought down and went on to score two further goals.  Frankie scored twice more to complete his hat-trick and then saw a venomous free-kick smash into the upright before going out of play.  Jonty got in on the act with an excellent shot from the edge of the area.

Ashley was awarded Man of the Match by the Garboldisham manager.

Watton 4 – 2 Bulldogs

On a bright sunny day on a beautiful flat pitch, it looked perfect for football.  The pitch had been spiked and was even but, after the recent dry weather, the ball bounced high and the strong wind made it difficult for both sides.  Sam scored with a spectacular effort from the half-way line, the bounce deceived the keeper and it went high into the roof of the net.  Watton equalised but, after a concerted attack, Jonty restored the lead with a drive from the edge of the area.  Giles made some fine saves to keep the lead and the Watton keeper made an excellent save from Oliver’s powerful drive.

In the second half Watton, with the advantage of the wind, pressed hard and scored with two long-range shots which gave Giles no chance.

Matty was awarded Man of the Match by the Watton manager.

Bulldogs 14 – 0 Dereham Diamonds

On a bright sunny afternoon with little wind, it was ideal for football.  Bulldogs were playing a depleted Diamonds side.  Oliver won the ball from the Diamonds kick off and put Ashley through, but the keeper made a good save.  From the corner he made an equally excellent save from Oliver’s shot.  Frankie hit the bar with a ferocious drive and this opening period set the tone for the afternoon.  Ashley opened the scoring with a cross-shot and then scored a magnificent second with a swivel half-volley overhead kick.  AK netted a header and Oliver scored with a shot from the edge of the area to make the half-time score 4 – 0.  The Diamonds keeper had made several excellent saves and Bulldogs had wasted some excellent chances.

Bulldogs improved in the second half.  Ashley completed his hat trick with a clever flick over the keeper.  AK completed his hat trick with two close-range finishes.  Chilly scored a hat trick of low drives. Frankie scored a hat trick with three powerful shots, the pick of which was the first which entered the net with tremendous power. Ashley put Jordan through and he finished well.

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

Bulldogs 5 – 2 Dereham Yellows

In an attempt to catch up the games postponed in the middle of winter, the Bulldogs played hosts to Dereham in an early evening match.  In a competitive first half both sides had chances but the score line remained blank.  Sam, Jack and Chris were all enjoying fine games at the back for Bulldogs.

Dereham took the lead early in the second half after Giles was unable to reach a through ball and the shot came back off the post but the rebound fell to a Dereham striker.  Giles then made two fine saves at his near post but Dereham added a second when a corner flicked off Ashley into the net.  At two nil down an inspired move by Jason brought about a remarkable change.  Josh came on at left back where he enjoyed a sound performance.  Chris moved up front, with Matty moving to the right wing.  A neat move between Chris and Matty resulted in a cross which was slotted home by Ashley.  Chris was now holding the ball up and bringing forward players into play in good positions.  Thirty seconds after his first goal, Ashley scored the equaliser.  Ashley then intercepted a goal kick and his through ball was dispatched into the bottom corner by Oliver but the delight of the home supporters was cut short by the linesman’s offside flag.  Oliver was not to be denied however and, after Chris’ shot hit the bar, he slammed home the rebound to give Bulldogs the lead.  Matty, Chris and Frankie then went close before the last defender missed Jonty’s through ball and Oliver raced through to finish.  Chris deservedly scored the fifth to complete a remarkable turnaround.  A fine all-round team performance.

Ashley was awarded Man of the Match by the Dereham Manager.

Match reports written by Coach John Street