Monday 28th August 2006 – Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance

Rocester 1 Romulus 2

Four players, two from each team, were sent off during a fiery first half at Hillsfield.

The blue touch paper was lit in the 27th minute when a challenge by Romans skipper Carl Allen on winger Jason Lawns sparked a fracas involving almost every player on the pitch, and three saw red.

Fired-up Romulus forward Tyrone Fagan’s reaction to the tackle caused most of the mayhem, racing across the field to clash firstly with Allen and then with goalkeeper Paul Wood, Bridgnorth referee Mr. M. Briscoe had little option but to order him off.

His decisions to order off Allen and Wood as well were far less clear-cut. However, he viewed Allen’s tackle as a stamp, an accusation vigorously denied by the left back, and he saw Woods’ attempts at calming the situation by grabbing hold of Fagan also worthy of red.

A fourth player, Romulus substitute Richard Woodley, who had only been on the field for eight minutes, followed them into the dressing room in first half injury time after lashing out at Richard Owen off the ball.

Before the main talking points, the paying customers had been treated to a full-blooded end-to-end contest.

Title challengers Romulus opened up the clearer chances; Mel Gourlay saw an effort cleared off the line by Peter Johnson and Wood made excellent saves to deny Craig Thomas and then Michael Batchelor at his near post.

Mark Ruddock probably should have done better with a good chance as Rocester responded, but his under-hit shot was easily cleared off the line by Lee Hatfield.

Visiting ‘keeper Matt Harris then made two superb fingertip saves to deny Nick Ward.

Romulus finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Batchelor ran in unmarked to meet Tom Wilmore’s free kick with a powerful header, giving stand-in ‘keeper Mick Ede no chance.

A second goal followed thirteen minutes later when Seb Harrison outpaced David Brown and, although Ede got down well to save his shot, Terry Carpenter rammed home the rebound.

Two minutes from time Rocester were on the end of another controversial decision when a penalty was awarded for handball against Chris Rowley, who had no chance to avoid being hit on the arm by Andy Cameron’s cross. Ede pounced on Mat Robinson’s spot kick to ensure justice was done.

Ruddock netted a consolation for the Romans in the final seconds with a downward header from Rowley’s right-wing centre.

Rocester: Wood (M.Ede 27); P.Johnson (Heaney 45); Allen; Owen; W.Johnson; Brown; Millward (Rowley 62); Ward; Ruddock; Moran; Caswell. Subs not used: Gadsby; Hubbard.

Romulus: Harris; Charles; Hatfield (Woodley 37); Batchelor; Gourlay; Lawns (Robinson 67); Hamilton; Cameron; Fagan; Thomas (Carpenter 67); Wilmore. Subs not used: Jones; King.

Red cards: Wood & Allen (Rocester); Fagan & Woodley (Romulus)

Yellow cards: Ward, Millward, W.Johnson & Rowley (Rocester); Batchelor (Romulus)

Referee: Mr. M. Swinscoe (Bridgnorth)

Attendance: 82