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Match jointly sponsored by Broadview Financial Services & the Rocester Massive.
Click on pictures to enlarge
Romans boss Dave Langston picked the same starting eleven for the third game in a row on Saturday, and his players responded by continuing their strong finish to the season with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Kirby Muxloe at Hillsfield.
The mid-table visitors proved to be tough opponents for the Romans, and with little to choose between two well-matched sides it was always going to be a close call whichever way the game went.
Early signs looked to be pointing towards Kirby as they carved out two clear chances inside the opening twelve minutes, the first of which fell to Gary Moult, whose low shot was superbly stopped by the diving Richard Froggatt before he was able to gather the ball at the second attempt.
That save, however, could only be ranked as average compared to the outstanding stop the goalkeeper made soon afterwards. Ronnie White found space out on Kirby’s left flank, then made his way into the area before slipping the ball neatly inside for John Grady to run on to. Grady took a touch and rifled a diagonal shot that looked a goal all the way until Froggatt flew to his left and reached backwards to palm the ball over the bar with his outstretched hand.
Having survived those two scares Rocester hit back to create a great chance of their own when Morgan Hurley flicked the ball through for Chris Sterling to chase. The striker won the race to the ball with goalkeeper Adam Wilcox, but after leaving Wilcox in his wake the normally reliable Sterling took too many touches as he raced towards the unprotected goal and Bryn Statham was able to race back in time to block his effort.
Froggatt was back in action midway through the second period, coming out quickly to save from Hardeep Phull and then diving to his right to stop a low drive from White.
Then, with the game seemingly destined to end goalless, it was Rocester who finally managed to break the deadlock. The Romans had been awarded a number of free kicks during the course of the afternoon, most of which had been poorly delivered or easily dealt with by the Kirby defenders, but crucially, as the game moved inside the final 15 minutes they were awarded another one following a foul on Mark Hodson.
Jack Langston stepped up to deliver the kick into the area from the right-hand side, Hodson darted forward towards the near post completely unchallenged and leapt high into the air to send a neat header over the despairing Wilcox into the net.
Rocester’s second-biggest crowd of the season, many attracted by the offer of free admission on the day, were delighted. Maybe a draw would have been a fair reflection of the game, but Hodson’s header sent them home happy.
Scorers: Romans – Hodson (77).
Romans: Froggatt; McComisky; Justin; Wain; Farrelly; Bullock; Hodson; Langston; Sterling; Hurley; Holt (Butler 46). Subs not used: Mason; Lowndes; Langridge.
Kirby: Wilcox; Grady; Schulz; Verrall; Statham; Gibbons; Phull; Wilson; Moult; White; North. Subs not used: McAthie; Mee; Collis; Taylor.
Yellow Cards: Romans – Farrelly, Hodson. Kirby – Statham, Phull.
Referee: Mr. A. Khalfe (Streetly).
Attendance: 117.
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