Saturday 23rd September 2006 – F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Rocester 0 Friar Lane & Epworth 1

Rocester’s hopes of a decent run in this season’s F.A. Vase were dashed when they were edged out by a single goal in this tight encounter.

Circumstances certainly worked against the Romans as Damian Grocott’s side, already shorn of five suspended or injured players, received a further set-back when stand-in left back Paul Ede had to leave the field mid-way through the second half with an ankle injury.

His replacement, brother Mick, who had only been on the field for a couple of minutes, then handed Danny Gibbons the chance to score the decisive 67th minute goal when he failed to clear the ball from the left of the area, leaving Gibbons with enough time to take a few paces before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Steve Harris.

Although the goal came at a point when Rocester were enjoying their best spell of the game, the Romans can have no complaints at the outcome.

For all their endeavour they created very little in front of goal, which is a major cause of concern for Grocott, who admitted afterwards that “We need more quality in some areas”.

“In our recent cup games we have been able to nick the odd goal to see us through, but this time it went the other way.”

“I felt it was a case of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ for quite a few players after beating Leamington last week. We didn’t take the game to them at all and in the end we got what we deserved.”

The visitors didn’t create very much either, though a speculative shot from the edge of the area in the first minute by their Namibian striker Tangeni caught Harris out and rebounded into the grateful ‘keepers’ arms off his right-hand post.

A flurry of substitutions, bookings and injuries littered an untidy second half, but once ahead Friar Lane were in no mood to relinquish their slender advantage.

With time running out Wayne Johnson’s header from David Brown’s free kick was superbly palmed away by Dean Meadows and Chris Rowley’s follow-up was blocked on the line.

During a hectic ten minutes of stoppage time Friar Lane defender Mark Orton received his marching orders following a second yellow card, and their manager Clem Dublin was also banished from the dug-out.

Lee Bagley’s last-gasp effort from outside the area, which was easily gathered by Meadows, was all Rocester could muster before time ran out.

Rocester: Harris; P.Johnson; P.Ede (M.Ede 64); Owen; W.Johnson; Brown; Millward; Rowley; Thompson (Bagley 52); Moran; Hubbard (Gadsby 63). Subs not used: Ruddock; Hodson.

Friar Lane: Meadows; Smith; Pitsilledes; Brett; Orton; D.Gibbons; Bogan (Marsh 65); Wright; L.Gibbons; Tangeni (Roper 74); Tallents (Trevor 84). Subs not used: Brookes; Chapman.

Yellow Cards: W.Johnson (Rocester). Pitsilledes, Tallents & Orton x2 (Friar Lane).

Red Cards: Orton (Friar Lane).

Referee: Mr. T. Sherratt (Burton-on-Trent)

Attendance: 113