Rocester travelled to Boldmere St. Michaels on Saturday looking to build on the previous week’s win over Bridgnorth Town, and a solid all-round performance ensured they did just that.
The young Romans defended very well throughout to keep a clean sheet for the first time in nineteen matches, and it earned them their first point on the road since the 4-2 win at Cradley Town back in October.
Despite the lack of goals this was a watchable contest played out by two fully committed teams who, on the day, couldn’t find a telling final ball or finishing touch.
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It was the home side came that came closest to breaking the deadlock when Jason Holmes nipped in to glance a header against the foot of the right-hand post seven minutes into the second half, but Josh Butler was on hand with time to hoof the loose ball well away from the danger zone. That came during a good spell for Boldmere, who had only just seen Butler whack another clearance out of the six-yard box after Richard Froggatt allowed a cross to slip through his hands.
Rocester were coping well at the back, while youngsters Jack Langston and Sam Wain belied their tender years with industrious and increasingly creative performances in central midfield.
And it was Langston who instigated a neat passing move that released Chris Sterling out on the right. Sterling moved the ball forward into Mark Hodson’s feet 20 yards from goal, but although the striker was able to turn outside his marker into the area he fired his shot wide of the near post.
Hodson was soon to be replaced by Dean Watkiss, who almost made an immediate impact after Morgan Hurley’s slide-rule pass between two defenders sent him racing towards goal. Watkiss took the shot on early from the edge of the area but his rising effort just cleared the cross bar.
Boldmere pushed on in the last quarter to try and win the game, but it was Rocester who looked the more likely to snatch a winner playing on the break.
Langston set himself up only to see his goalbound effort well-blocked by a defender, and Darren Bullock’s late free kick was diverted across the goalmouth off the wall, just out of Hurley’s reach.
Romans: Froggatt; Lowndes; Butler; Wain; McComisky; Bullock; Sterling; Langston; Hodson (Watkiss 68); Hurley; Hewitt. Subs not used: Bailey; Langridge; Farrelly; Holt.
Yellow Cards: Mikes – Lewis. Romans – Hodson, Sterling, Hewitt.
Referee: Mr. M. Giblin (Hall Green).
Attendance: 54.
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