|
High-flying Stratford Town took the points from Tuesday night’s Midland Alliance encounter at Knights Lane to strengthen their grip on third place, however it was third from bottom Rocester who took the plaudits with a battling display that saw them push their lofty opponents all the way to the final whistle.
The Romans weren’t far away from opening the scoring when Darren Bullock’s firmly struck free kick was well-held by Chris Jay in the home goal, but Stratford had also started brightly and ominously, they took advantage of some sloppy defending to draw first blood after just eleven minutes play.
The goal came after Rocester had cleared their lines following a corner, but when Tom Warmer knocked the ball back into the area former Romans defender Barry Woolley had time and space to find team mate Richard Softley, who enjoyed a simple finish from six yards.
At that point Stratford may well have sensed a comfortable victory was already within their grasp, but the Romans, in contrast to some of their earlier performances this season, were in no mood to be brushed aside by a physically stronger and more powerful side.
In fact, it was Rocester who played much of the better football throughout the game, at least up to the final third where they clearly lacked some muscle against a line of big defenders.
There were still two decent chances for Rocester to level things up in the first half when, firstly, Mark Hodson’s low drive was well-handled by Jay, and secondly when Sam Wain fired inches over the bar at the end of a flowing move involving Morgan Hurley and Dan Lowndes.
Young midfielder Wain had to be replaced at half time with an ankle injury received in one of a number of robust and niggly challenges from the home side who were not having things entirely their own way.
Richard Froggatt denied Stratford a second goal immediately after the break when he managed to push Danny Lennon’s effort up into the air and over Mark Smith who was following up, but that was the best they could offer as Rocester continued to resist stubbornly and play on the break.
The Romans deservedly remained in contention without ever looking like troubling the home goal, but they forced two corners in the dying moments when they might easily have sneaked an equaliser. However, following the second corner and with almost every Rocester player pushed upfield, Liam Reynolds collected the clearance in the centre circle and set up Leon Kelly to seal the win with what was virtually the last kick of the game.
Scorers: Stratford – Softley (11), Kelly (90).
Stratford: Jay; Faulds; Softley; McHale; Woolley; Warmer (Alsop 60); Reynolds; Pugh (Jones 60); Smith; Lennon (Kelly 77); Jackson. Subs not used: Mole.
Romans: Froggatt; Justin; Butler; Wain (Mason 46); Reeves; Bullock; Lowndes; Hodson; Sterling; Hurley; Hewitt (Watkiss 70). Subs not used: Holt; Sheridan; Farrelly.
Yellow Cards: Stratford – McHale, Softley, Alsop, Jones. Romans – Butler.
Referee: Mr. M. Foden (Alcester).
Attendance: 123 |