Tuesday 15th August – Polymac Midland Football Alliance

Biddulph Victoria 1 Rocester 2

Craig Heaney’s red card 15 minutes into the second half failed to disrupt Rocester’s early season momentum at Tunstall Road last night.

Heaney was unlucky to see red after a collision with Gareth Brookes, however the Romans had already done the damage with two early strikes from Chris Rowley and Adam Baum, and the home side were unable to haul themselves level despite their extra man advantage.

Rocester dominated the opening exchanges and were quickly rewarded when debutant Wayne Johnson’s 7th minute header across the Vics penalty area was stabbed home by Chris Rowley from six yards.

It was just the start Rocester wanted, and they continued to force the pace down the sloping pitch with Baum and Mark Ruddock causing the home defence plenty of problems.

Then in the 25th minute Kevin Millward’s long pass from the right released Baum, and the diminutive striker finished in style to give Rocester a two-goal cushion.

It looked all over at that point, but Biddulph rallied as half time approached and Leon Sturridge should have pulled one back with a far-post header that was well saved by Paul Wood.

Wood was soon in action again, blocking Gareth Brookes’s 43rd minute effort at point-blank range, but the ball to fall nicely to John-Paul Jones and he netted easily to reduce the arrears.

Vics pushed for an equaliser from the start of the second half, however Heaney’s dismissal only strengthened Rocester’s resolve and it was the visitors who managed to carve out the clearer chances.

Steve Intihar in the Biddulph goal did well to keep out Baum’s 70th minute chip, and even though Rocester had to withstand a frantic final ten minutes they almost snatched a third in the last seconds when substitute Kyle Esplin hit the post.

Line-ups:

Rocester: Wood; Heaney; Allen; Owen; W.Johnson; Brown; Millward; Rowley; Ruddock (McCarron 88); Baum (Esplin 80); Hubbard. Subs not used. Caswell; Gadsby; P.Johnson.

Biddulph: Intihar; Burridge; Alcock; Kelter; Jardine; Thompson; Bowyer; Ward; Sturridge; Brookes (Steele 85); Jones. Subs not used. Baker; Heath; Swift; Fodden.

Referee: Mr. A. Lawrenson (Burntwood).

Scorers: Rocester – Rowley (7); Baum (25). Biddulph – Jones (43).

Yellow cards: Rocester – Rowley; Hubbard. Biddulph – Brookes; Jones.

Red cards: Rocester – Heaney.

Attendance: 87.