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Rocester travelled to Crown Meadow with high hopes of picking up three points against a Bridgnorth side without a league win since August, however the Romans slipped to a disappointing defeat with a scrappy, error-strewn performance that was a complete contrast to the previous weekend’s display against Westfields.
Conditions weren’t great on a muddy, sloping pitch that didn’t get any easier after more rain fell throughout the game, which suited the home side’s higher work-rate and desire much better than it did Rocester, who never really got to grips.
Rocester were almost behind with less than a minute on the clock when Zac Jackson’s terrific 20-yarder crashed off the underside of Richard Froggatt’s bar with the keeper well-beaten. Gareth Horler reacted quickly to stab the ball into the net but a linesman’s flag ruled him offside.
It took Rocester almost 20 minutes to get their first worthwhile attempt at goal, and that fell to centre half Darren Bullock who had gone upfield for a free kick. Bullock though, skewed his shot on the turn narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
Then, after the ball had been given away in midfield, a quick pass forward split the Rocester defence and Jackson sped through to open the scoring with a powerful low drive past Froggatt’s legs.
Right on the stroke of half time Rocester were caught out again, and it was Jackson again who raced away to score his and Bridgnorth’s second goal with a shot that Froggatt managed to half block with his body before the ball bounced into the net.
Rocester were given something to go for when Bridgnorth's Luke Brown was sent off five minutes into the second half for nodding his head into Mark Hodson's face as the two players squared up to each other.
It gave the Romans some impetus and James Curley reduced the arrears on the hour with a neat finish from just inside the area through a crowd of players.
Matt Redshaw came on to provide some much-needed spark to Rocester’s front line and his 75th minute shot almost produced an equaliser when Ashley Sheridan planted the rebound off goalkeeper Darren Walters into the net, but like Jackson’s first minute effort the linesman ruled that he had strayed offside and it was cancelled out.
Within seconds a penalty was awarded at the other end after Josh Butler tripped Horler, but after consulting with his other Assistant, referee Tim Curtis changed his decision and to Rocester’s relief, awarded a free kick just outside the area.
Despite playing much of the remainder in their opponents’ half Rocester let themselves down in the final third with a series of over-hit and aimless crosses, although Redshaw did get a half-chance near the end only to fire his shot straight at Walters.
Scorers: Bridgnorth – Jackson (27) (45). Romans: Curley (60).
Bridgnorth: Walters; Wilson; Kibblewhyte; Darlington; Broome; Guryn; Marlowe; Brown; Jackson; Horler (K.Griffiths 90); Forbes (Adams 84). Subs not used: Sangha; Moore; D.Griffiths.
Romans: Froggatt; Justin; Butler (McComisky 80); Hodson; Bullock; Robinson; Bailey (Redshaw 58); Curley; Reaney; Mason (Hewitt 67); Sheridan. Subs not used: Littler; Johnson.
Red Cards: Bridgnorth – Brown (50).
Yellow Cards: Bridgnorth – Jackson, Walters. Romans – Mason, Sheridan.
Referee: Mr. T. Curtis (Worcester).
Attendance: 49 |