Staffordshire Senior League

Alsager Town Res 3 Rocester Reserves 2

The reserve team faced a difficult trip to second-placed Alsager Town Reserves, who went into the game with a 100% record from their opening five matches and a goalscoring record averaging more than three goals per game.

Things looked bleak when Alsager, who are nicknamed the Bullets, shot into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes - both goals coming from their striker Dwaine Spence who looked a quality player.

But the Romans showed great character to come back strongly, and played some excellent football taking the game to their opponents. It was no surprise when Shaun Coates reduced the arrears after about an hour's play.

Five minutes later Paul Milward became the ninth different player to score for the reserves this season when he found the net to equalise.

However, Spence completed his hat-trick two minutes from the end, maintaining Alsager's perfect start to the season and sending the Romans home empty-handed.

Manager Steve Swanwick said afterwards; "I am absolutely over the moon with how we played. They are one of the best sides in the league and we outplayed them over the 90 minutes, we really deserved something from it."

Swanwick had a special mention for Martin Gadsby (left), who he described as "Head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch - he was awesome today."

The reserves are in action next Saturday when they face another difficult away game at Redgate Clayton. Any supporters not travelling to the first team game at Coventry Sphinx can easily make the short trip up to Clayton where their support would be greatly appreciated.