Saturday 24th November 2007

Staffordshire County Senior League Cup 2nd Round

Alsagers Bank 2 Rocester Reserves 7 (AET)     Report by Paul Milward

Rocester Reserves took a strong squad to Division One leaders Alsagers Bank for this Second Round League Cup tie.

The Romans, in a buoyant mood on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, opened brightly with both Liam Sowter and Paul Tortoishell causing the home defence problems down the flanks. However, they were let down by some poor finishing until Mark Thompson's ball over the top of the defence midway through the first half allowed Tortoishell to open the scoring with a neat finish.

Gavin Reynolds then netted from close range to double the lead in the 35th minute, and the Romans were well worth their two-goal lead at the interval.

Alsagers Bank came out for the second half with a fresh impetus and they soon pulled a goal back through Mark McDonagh, who netted from the penalty spot after a blatant foul by Thompson.

Rocester then paid for a poor second half showing when Alsagers Bank completed their comeback ten minutes from the end through Steve Lovatt, who made it 2-2 with a headed equaliser from a corner kick.

Some strong words from manager Steve Swanwick before extra time had the desired effect as the players responded with a stunning first period that produced four goals.

Tommy Smith scored the first of them when he latched on to Paul Milward's cross and fired the ball into the net after some clever footwork, and Milward claimed another assist soon afterwards when Matt Jackson met his corner with a looping header that went over the keeper before settling in the net.

Milward was next on the scoresheet with a well-executed chip from Jon Lamburn's pass, and Lamburn then got in on the act by grabbing the sixth Rocester goal with a bullet header from a left wing cross.

Lamburn scored his second and Rocester's seventh during the second period, collecting Smith's free kick and picking his spot from six yards out.

Milward's excellent afternoon ended on a low note when he was sent off for receiving two yellow cards, but it was too late for the home side to take advantage of their extra man.

The Romans finished comfortable winners and will now face Alsager Town Reserves at Hillsfield in the Quarter Final on 29th December.

Manager Steve Swanwick was obviously delighted with the result, but wasn't entirely happy with the performance over the first 90 minutes.

"I don't know quite how I feel," He said afterwards.

"We were two up at half time and we asked the players to close the door on them and see the game out, but we didn't do anything. I think the second half was the worse we have played since I've been in charge."

"In all honesty we were lucky to finish level at 90 minutes, and although I can't repeat what I said before extra time it certainly worked!"

"We were fantastic in the first period, but that's nothing more than I would expect from the quality players that we have at our disposal."

"Now it's a big week for us with the Staffs F.A. Challenge Cup Quarter Final coming up against Walsall Wood. We have the quality to progress, but we will have to perform better than we did today over the first 90 minutes."