Two goals in three-minute spells in both halves were more than enough to give a poor Oldbury side a convincing win over rock-bottom Rocester.

Oldbury looked the better side up to the interval against their lethargic visitors and their first goal came after 16 minutes when a weak headed clearance only found Oldbury striker Leon Mitchell on the edge of the penalty area and he drilled a low shot past Rocester keeper Paul Wood.

Soon after, a low cross from the right from Jason Barton was swept into the net by Andy Wells.

Rocester’s only chance of a goal before the break fell to Lee Bagley, but his header from Darren Alexander’s cross was beaten away by Oldbury keeper Andy Higgs.

In the second half the Romans' play improved and they pulled a goal back after 53 minutes when Alexander was brought down in the penalty area and Mick Ede scored from the spot.

Soon after, Wood made two fine saves in quick succession to deny Mitchell and Wells further goals and, with 10 minutes remaining, Craig Hancox wasted a chance to level for Rocester when he fired a shot over the Oldbury crossbar from close range.

The game ended somewhat farcically with Oldbury scoring a fluke third goal three minutes from the end after the ball ballooned up from James McCarron’s tackle on Barton about 30 yards out.

The ball was then carried in the wind over Wood’s head into the net, and in the last minute Oldbury substitute Wayne Lawley made a solo run unopposed from the halfway line to slot the ball past Wood to give the home side a somewhat flattering winning margin.

OLDBURY: Higgs, Lloyd, Small (Dodds 50), Homer, Barton, Smith, Wells, Stephens, Mitchell (Lawley 85), Booth, Dimmock (Hampson 78); subs not used: Carter, Fellows

ROCESTER: Wood, Hubball, Collins, McCarron, Allen, Bloor (Rowe 82), Gallagher (McCauley 58), Ede, Alexander, Bagley, Hancox; subs not used: Barnett, Rigley, Richards

REFEREE: G C Law (Leicester). ATTENDANCE: 66

Uttoxeter Advertiser (Published on 09/11/2005)