Saturday 23rd February 2008

Staffordshire Senior League Cup Semi-Final

Stretton Eagles 1 Rocester Reserves 2

A hard-fought win at County League Division One neighbours Stretton Eagles earned the Romans' Reserve team a place in the League Cup Final against Redgate Clayton Reserves on March 10th.

Stretton may be in a division below the Romans but they have a highly-rated young side and were always going to provide stern opposition at this stage of the competition - especially on their own ground, and that proved to be the case.

The Eagles led at half time thanks to a Sam Waite goal scored on a breakaway after about 30 minutes, and on the balance of play it was a lead they deserved.

However a tactical switch after the break proved pivotal for the Romans and they were able to turn the game around.

Joint Manager Geoff Thompson said; "We went with three at the back and pushed Aaron Plant into midfield, and after that we looked the better side and eventually got our rewards."

Another change saw striker Jon Lamburn and midfielder Gary Beardsley swap places, and that paid dividends almost immediately when Lamburn won the ball in the middle and played it forward for Beardsley to chip in the equaliser on the hour.

Some tough challenges were coming in from both sides and the referee had to caution a number of players to keep a lid on things, but the momentum was with Rocester now and it came as no surprise when Mark Orpe found the bottom corner with a long-range effort in the 74th minute to put Rocester into the lead.

Stretton threw players forward in the closing stages to try and force extra time but they couldn't find a way past a stubborn back line who, in the end, held out comfortably to spark jubilant scenes at the final whistle among the good number of travelling supporters and the players.

Joint Manager Geoff Thompson said afterwards; "We had to work hard but in the end we deserved to go through."

"The three lads at the back (Matt Jackson, James McCarron and Mark Thompson) were excellent, but for me our man of the match was Shaun Coates who did a great job in midfield."

"It's great that we've got a cup final to look forward to, especially after losing the last semi-final at Bilbrook. Now we've got to do what we can to win it."

Rocester: Karl Smith; Aaron Plant; Matt Jackson; James McCarron; Mark Thompson; Gavin Reynolds; Paul Tortoishell (Ashley Grocott 40); Shaun Coates; Gary Beardsley; Jon Lamburn; Mark Orpe. Subs not used: Jon Shaw; Phil Shaw; Phil Bull.

The Final will take place against Redgate Clayton Reserves at Newcastle Town F.C. on Monday 10th March.