The reserves did well to pick up three points from this match against a useful Florence side.

The Romans got off to a great start when, after 11 minutes play,  a cross from the left into the Florence penalty area was needlessly handled beyond the far post by one of their defenders, and Liam Sowter tucked away the resulting penalty.

Rocester, playing down the slope and with the wind behind them, held the upper hand for most of the first half and were rewarded with a second goal in the 28th minute. Paul Harvey's free kick from out on the left near the half way line was floated into the area to Mark Orpe who had beaten the offside trap, and the striker made no mistake with a beautifully executed side-footed volley. An excellent finish.

Six minutes later Rocester were awarded a second penalty after a push on Gavin Reynolds, but this time Sowter placed his spot kick to the opposite side and the goalkeeper guessed correctly to turn it away.

Just three minutes into the second half Florence pulled a goal back with a powerful angled shot from their centre forward, which spurred them on in search of an equaliser.

They had chances, but a mixture of poor finishing and one or two good saves from Karl Smith kept them at bay.

It wasn't all one-way though. Mark Ruddock was off target with a header and Gavin Reynolds blazed over when well placed, and then in the last moments Reynolds grazed the post witha 20-yard effort.

Afterwards, Assistant Manager Geoff Thompson said; "We made hard work of it, we had enough chances to have had the game won by half time."

"We said at half time to keep things tight and not let an early goal in, so it was disappointing that we conceded almost straight away, but I think we deserved it over all."

    Top Left - Liam Sowter's penalty sends the goalkeeper the wrong way for the opening goal.