Rockneby IK v Läckeby GoIF, Swedish regional division 6

 

Rockneby IK 3-1 Läckeby GoIF
Swedish regional division 6 (tier 8)
Tuesday 25 August, 18:15 kick-off
Dampevallen, Rockneby
Crowd: 89

Rockneby and Läckeby are two villages just north of Kalmar and only 6 km apart so this match is a very local derby. Sadly both teams are at the bottom of the local division 6, as low as you get in this region of the country. Rockneby are rock bottom with just one point from 14 games whilst neighbours Läckeby are on 6 points. Going into this match the form chart makes dismal reading with Rockneby on five straight defeats and Läckeby with one point from the last five. But matches like this are not so much about league position but all about local bragging rights. You always want to beat your neighbours.

Rockneby is a pleasant rural village of about 1,000 inhabitants with a beautiful church that was rebuilt thanks to remarkable local commitment after a disastrous fire in 2001. The club has men's and women's teams and of course teams and activities for children and youths. The same applies to Läckeby and I must admit I find the two places very similar, both with prominent old churches and a strong community feeling.

Rockneby play in an all-green kit whilst Läckeby's colours are yellow and black.

The ground

Dampevallen is a fairly basic ground. Before the entrance are the clubhouse and changing rooms and then the ground itself is surrounded by a high fence with the kiosk as the only building. The spectators sit or stand on the grassy bank beside the kiosk and there are a few benches for those who don't bring a chair or rug to sit on. On a sunny evening like today it felt a bit like a large family picnic sitting on the grass. The far side has the team benches but no space for spectators. There are no floodlights.

Today's crowd of 89 was pretty good for this level and the streets near the ground were certainly well filled with cars.

The game

Rockneby got their first win of the season to the delight of the home fans and it was well deserved. They fought hard all the way and on this display they should manage to gather more points before the season ends. They certainly didn't look like a team at the bottom of the football pyramid.

The hosts took charge from the kick-off and dominated the first ten minutes with the impressive Milo Olsson threatening every time he got the ball. An early shot was well saved by the Läckeby keeper Runesson. The visitors' first chance fell to Emil Blomqvist but the keeper was alert and stopped the shot. But Rockneby kept on pushing with Olsson free on the keeper but his lob went over the bar. However, Olsson finally made the breakthrough after 34 minutes when he beat the outrushing keeper and slotted home from a tight angle on the left. Five minutes later Rockneby went two up when a free kick was headed home by Jacob Stenström. At half time the hosts had a deserved lead whilst Läckeby would need to raise their game to get back.

The visitors looked distinctly livelier after the break and had a couple of good shots saved by home keeper Engdahl who looked solid all the game. After 67 minutes Läckeby pulled a goal back through the nippy Emil Blomqvist and this of course raised the temperature of the game. Rockneby didn't sit back though and pushed for a clincher. Once again Milo Olsson, without doubt my man of the match, broke through and was pulled down by the keeper on the edge of the box. I expected a direct red card but to everyone's amazement it was only a yellow and the free kick was fruitless. But only a minute later they scored a third with Olsson once again free on the keeper, dribbled past him and made it 3-1.

That sealed the deal even if Läckeby pressed towards the end. Tempers were frayed at the end and two Läckeby players got straight red cards in the dying minutes. The final whistle was greeted with jubilation by the home team and fans. I enjoyed this one and I was pleased to see Rockneby getting thier much longed-for first win.