Saturday 22nd December 2007

Staffordshire Senior League

Rocester Reserves 1 Abbey Hulton United 0

Substitute Tommy Smith (left) scored the only goal of this closely-fought contest with the last kick of the game.

Abbey goalkeeper Lee Palin failed to hold on to Paul Tortoishell's driven cross from the right-hand side, and Smith was able to stab the ball over the line at the second attempt despite Palin's best efforts to recover the ball.

It was a dramatic finish to a game that was a good advert for the Senior League, and although Abbey will feel they deserved to take a point back to the Potteries, Rocester just about shaded it over the 90 minutes.

The game marked the return of goalkeeper Paul Wood, who came through without any problems after a 13-month absence and a hip operation, and manager Steve Swanwick was also able to select veteran midfielder Richard Owen to add experience to what is essentially a young side.

Despite the miserable weather conditions the two teams started brightly, but some impressive defending at both ends kept the goalkeepers well-protected. Rocester did, however, have the ball in the net after 17 minutes when Mark Hodson side-footed Liam Sowter's cross past Palin from six yards out only to be denied by a linesman's offside flag.

At the other end, the Romans survived claims for a penalty after Mark Thompson and Neil Bennett blocked off a run into the area by Dan Timmis as Abbey started to move the ball around more comfortably.

Rocester were dealt a blow when full-back Paul Harvey was carried from the field mid-way through the first half with a knee injury, but his replacement Aaron Plant fitted in seamlessly.

With chances still at a premium, Abbey began the second half with a quick break down the right flank and Paul Wood was down quickly to get his hands to a powerful cross-shot by Adam Holdcroft before the defence got the ball away to safety.

It was then Rocester's turn to be denied a penalty after Mark Hodson appeared to be brought down by Alex Hutchinson, and the impressive Hutchinson was twice on hand to prevent Hodson from breaking clear with well-timed tackles.

Inside the final ten minutes the visitors had two chances to nick maximum points but a great last-ditch tackle by Thompson stopped Timmis from getting a shot in, and from the resulting corner Darren Ferns's angled shot went through a crowd of players before passing a yard wide of the far right-hand post.

Smith then had the last word to seal the win, and boss Steve Swanwick was particularly happy in light of last week's defeat against the same opponents in the Leek Cup.

"It was nice to turn the tables on them after last week, but if I'm honest I would rather have gone through in the cup game." Said Swanwick.

"As a reserve team we don't really expect to do things in the league so the cups have become quit important to us, but we proved today that we can take on the best in the league as well."

"It was a big effort from the whole team today, Richard Owen was fantastic for us and so was Neil Bennett, and it was pleasing to see Paul Wood continue his comeback in goal." He added.

"To see the directors, the committee, the first team players and a few supporters down here supporting us is fantastic, and gives everyone a feeling of being together as a club."

"We've got another tough one next week when we play Alsager Town Reserves in the League Cup, and we will be without a number of players again who are cup-tied having played in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, but we will do what we can to get through."

"Finally, my assistants Geoff Thompson, Martin Meylan and I would like to wish everyone at Rocester Football Club a merry Christmas and thank you all for your support so far this season."

Rocester: Paul Wood; Mark Bailey; Paul Harvey (Aaron Plant 25); Neil Bennett; Mark Thompson; Richard Owen; Gavin Reynolds; Paul Tortoishell; Mark Hodson; Jon Lamburn (Tommy Smith 71); Liam Sowter (Glyn Douglas 66).

If you are not travelling with the first team to Boldmere next Saturday (29th December) please come down and give the reserve team your support when they take on Alsager Town in the League Cup, kick off 2pm.