Saturday 10th November 2007

Staffordshire Senior League

Ashbourne United 3 Rocester Reserves 4

Thirteen goals in three matches for the reserve team certainly makes impressive reading, and it highlights the firepower available not only to second team boss Steve Swanwick but to the first team management as well.

Paul Tortoishell, who recently returned to the club, started the game and played extremely well for an hour before being replaced, and both Tommy Smith and Mark Orpe continued their comebacks from injury lay-offs with a goal apiece.

Playing against his old club, Paul Milward (left) was particularly impressive in the centre of midfield, and he was instrumental in most of Rocester's play as they controlled long spells of the game.

The deadlock was broken when an Ashbourne defender diverted Liam Sowter's driven cross from the left into his own net, and Mark Orpe added a second when he beat a couple of players, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the empty goal.

Somewhat against the run of play John Ford pulled one back for Ashbourne before the break, but when the second half got underway a well-worked opening provided Liam Sowter with the chance to score number three.

Tommy Smith then scored the fourth Rocester goal from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area.

However, with the contest seemingly over Rocester switched off and allowed Ashbourne to haul themselves back into the game. John Ford netted two more to complete his hat-trick and set up a tense finish, but Rocester fully deserved the win - the 4-3 scoreline hardly reflecting their superiority.