Saturday 7th January 2006

Another Bard day for Romans

Stratford Town 2 Rocester 0

ROCESTER’S nightmare season continued in Shakespeare country despite matching Midland Alliance mid-table opponents Straford throughout this game.

A spirited display left the home side hanging on to a single-goal lead earned late in the first half before sealing victory in the final minute.

Stratford spurned the chance of taking a third-minute lead when Paul O’Brien dragged a shot wide from a good position, but Rocester also had a chance to go in front after 20 minutes when a good run from Adam Baum saw his shot saved by the outstretched leg of Stratford keeper Warren Ayres.

The home side finally took the lead six minutes before the interval when a cross from the Rocester right caused confusion in the Romans defence and Paul Hunter was able to slide the ball into an empty net.

In the second half, Rocester’s young side enjoyed the greater possession, but were unable to break down a resolute Stratford defence. The nearest they came to scoring was when Mick Ede’s volley from 20 yards out forced Ayres into a full-length save.

Soon after, Ede again saw a free-kick from 25 yards curl inches wide of the post.

It was the latest of many cruel blows Rocester have received this season when a Stratford attack down the right flank in the final minute ended with O’Brien tucking home a low cross to give his side a flattering winning margin.

ROCESTER: Richards, Ede, M Davies (Bayliss-Rowe 85), McCarron, Allen, Barnett, Tortoishell, Collins, Ruddock, Baum, Hancox (Hubball 75); subs not used: A Davies, Caswell.

STRATFORD: Ayres, Curtis (Beauchamp 85), Mick Crawford (Holton 85), Mitchell, Hicks, O’Brien, Dunn, Lowry, Bailey, Hunter, Cormell; subs not used: Bowles, Ndima, Martin Crawford.

ROCESTER FORM RATING: Good team effort.