Saturday 16th February 2008

Staffordshire Senior League

Rocester Reserves 5 Stallington 1

The Romans reserves bounced back from the disappointment of last week's Staffordshire F.A. Challenge Cup Semi-Final defeat at Bilbrook with a big win over bottom-of-the-table Stallington at Hillsfield.

Gavin Reynolds continued his fine goalscoring form when he put Rocester into the lead with a close-range volley ten minutes before half time,  and then early in the second half Jon Lamburn made it 2-0 with another close-range finish after Gary Beardsley's free kick rebounded to him.

With James McCarron and Matt Jackson keeping things tight at the back Stallington rarely troubled Romans 'keeper Karl Smith, and the game was put beyond the visitors reach when Paul Tortoishell scored a neat third goal, rounding the goalkeeper before planting the ball in the empty net.

Stallington did pull a goal back through Simcock, who netted from the penalty spot after Karl Smith had hauled down one of their strikers, but a looping header from Shaun Coates made it 4-1 to Rocester before Jon Shaw made it five with a late strike.

There were some encouraging performances with a tough League Cup Semi-Final coming up at Stretton Eagles on Saturday. Young striker Ashley Grocott who replaced Mark Orpe up front at half time caught the eye, as did both Jon and Phil Shaw who caused Stallington plenty problems when they came on.

Although Rocester deservedly won the match, Coach Martin Meylan felt the final score was a flattering one and the game was much closer than the score suggests.

"We started the game slowly and to be honest we were lucky to be 1-0 up at half time." He said.