Rocester 4 Barwell 5

IT IS now 60 league games without a win for Rocester.

But with half their reserve side in their line-up for this game, the Romans came close to pulling off a shock victory against high-flying Barwell in a nine goal thriller at Hillsfield.

The visitors went ahead after just six minutes when Barwell captain Craig Noble scored from the spot after Rocester keeper Paul Wood had needlessly pulled him down in the penalty area.

Rocester, however, were themselves denied a deserved penalty when Barwell keeper Glenn Ashton clattered into striker Tom Smith as he shaped to shoot, but the Romans drew level then took a two-goal lead in the space of six minutes shortly before half-time.

Smith stabbed home the first after Ashton could only parry a close range shot from Lee Bagley, who then added the second with a looping header just inside the left-hand post following a cross from Craig Hancox.

Hancox then took full advantage of a slip by Barwell defender Danny Kitching to beat Ashton with a low drive.

However, in injury time at the end of the first period Carl Adams reduced the arrears when he broke clear to lob the ball over the advancing Wood.

On the hour, Adams fell like a sack of coals in the Rocester penalty area to earn his side a dubious second penalty which was again tucked home by Craig Noble.

Rocester took the lead again seven minutes later when Bagley glanced home a header for his second goal of the game.

Barwell, however, stole all three points when Lester broke on the left to score the visitors’ fourth goal in the 75th minute and four minutes later Adams scored from close range to cruelly deny Rocester at least the draw they deserved.

Burton Mail - Published on 21/11/2005