Rolleston Cricket Club vs Gresley Rovers
Rolleston Cricket Club 4 - 2 Gresley Rovers
Scorers: Hanslow, Parker
Team: Stu Haywood, Jack Moylan, Joe Tomlin, Carl Wymark, Alex Peplow, Matt Grice, Ian Parker, Chris Smith(c), Paul Morton, Rich Hanslow, Dean Acton
Subs: Alex Smith
We were away to Rolleston today, and we were without 2 or 3 of our regular players, through various reasons but I was delighted that we had the much welcome return of Alex Peplow, Alex Smith and Dean Acton.
The game was played on a pitch where the grass was a good 4inches high, which being council owned, was not the fault of the home side. So it was going to be difficult to play our normal passing game, but that was the same for both
teams, so the game started.
Within 5 minutes we were 1-0 down, through a great strike from way out, leaving Stu Haywood no chance. Our heads never dropped though, and we still played some good linking football, and were denied an equaliser many times by either their keeper or bad luck. However Rolleston broke forward and added another two before the break, the first hit the post and the back of Haywood and in, which shows how unlucky we were.
Second half we continued in the same mould, pushing forward and playing good interlinking football, and within 5 minutes got a goal back from a neat flick from Hanslow. We were back in it and it proved that we still have the ability to grab a goal from the most difficult of chances. We were all over the opposition and made a good few chances, which again showed both desire and great attitude to keep to our game plan. Hanslow was getting fouled and
pulled by their defence as they struggled to cope with his trickery, giving us a few free kicks in dangerous positions but we failed to capitalise on any of them. However Rolleston broke with a ball over the top, and we
struggled to cope and a little hesitation, gave their striker a golden chance and 4-1 it was. We still played to our strengths and Ian Parker got his first goal for us to make it 4-2 and that's how the game finished.
So again today we've seen what we need to achieve to match teams in this league, we played most the football, but that doesn't win games!!. We have a soft underbelly at times, and in this league we're getting punished for
it. We've made great improvements since the start of the season, and I'm very confident that we've more than enough ability to turn things round, if we keep working and believing in ourselves. It's difficult because defeats sup
confidence but we just need to keep working as we are and I know we'll get there. I was also pleased with the fact that we've got Alex Peplow on board with us, as I thought he had a great game and looks a quality addition to our
squad. Another plus point is that even though we had players missing, we looked good and kept our shape and discipline in another good sporting game from both sides, so credit to Rolleston as well. We still need to have as many as possible at training to work on certain things, so lets keep believing and the wins will come I'm sure of it.
Mom: Chris Smith, ran at people and back to his best with great work rate and attitude. Keep it up mate!!
