Hazel Grove v Rolvsøy: Match Thread (22/03/2015)

Result from New Mills earlier today:

Hazel Grove 2, Rolvsoy 1.

A well-matched pairing, and a game that saw Rolvsoy play some of their best football of the tour. Unfortunately, the tourists did what they have done all too often in these fixtures and conceded early in each half. They also, for the third time, managed a consolation goal... albeit one that, on this occasion, gave them a real chance of at least securing a share of the spoils. In the event, Hazel Grove held on - but Rolvsoy can be proud of how, with a far less-than-full-strength side, they acquitted themselves.

The spot-kick was put away with aplomb by Rolvsoy's young 'keeper, Vebjorn Sahlin, who, it turns out, has taken some twenty penalties without ever missing! Remember his name from a goalkeeping perspective, though. He played brilliantly in all three matches - even if I did attribute his heroics against Cale Green to the other 'keeper, Tom Fredrick Jensen, on Twitter (not my fault... Jarkko wrote out the team-sheet  )! - and is a great prospect.

After the game, I was honoured to receive Finn-Erik Arnesen's shirt. Finn is Rolvsoy's most senior player, and was once on the books of Borussia Monchengladbach - which certainly showed as he tormented us with great skill during the walking football session!

Good to catch up with Sirius and Sirius Junior at this one, and, of course, with Fudgie - who has played a blinder in his various roles as coach, host and mentor to our Norwegian friends. Hopefully, we will see them over here again during their next pre-season!