Big Rossy win secures third
LANCS AMATEUR PREMIER DIVISION ROSSENDALE................... 5 ROCH ST CLEMENTS ..... 0
ROSSENDALE ended the season with a comprehensive victory which secured third place in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier division.
They got off to a perfect start when Paul Hooper linked up well with fellow striker Jonathan Heap when he slipped the ball through, Heap beat the offside and expertly finished through the keepers legs to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Moments later and they had doubled their lead when this time Heap became the provider when he dropped off the forward line held off his man and then this time nutmegged the right back to play in the onrushing Ryan siddle who from a tight angle chipped the goalkeeper with an outrageous strike.
The home side were really playing some good football, but also pressing hard in midfield with Siddle leading the fight, inevitably a third goal came via centre half Adam Mcinnes and what a goal it ●● Ryan Siddle, left, who starred for Rossendale at the weekend was. He picked the ball up from goalkeeper Matt Richmond deep in his own half and with no options on decided to run with the ball and just kept going, running straight through the whole Roch- dale team and finishing with aplomb into the far corner of the goal.
Into the second half and being 3-0 down Rochdale did come out with intent and did threaten the Rossendale goal a couple of times but they found an in form Matty Richmond denying any opportunity they carved out for themselves.
It was from a Rochdale attack that the fourth goal came, a slick counter attack led by Will Foster ended with Siddle getting his second goal of the game when he turned in a cross with a cheeky back heel that left the keeper stranded.
Late in the game Rossendale added a fifth through Will Foster who’s tireless workrate deserved a goal when he yet again burst through the defence and smashed home to complete the rout.
Manager Kevin Harrison was really happy to sign off with the performance and said: “The lads have played really well, we can play better but they’ve put on a performance with plenty of goals and I said to the lads go out and enjoy your last game of the season, leave nothing on the pitch and take the points to finish third which they did.
They are an absolutely brilliant bunch of lads, we’ve got a real team spirit here, with a good blend of youth and experience.
“I firmly believe we should have had some silverware this season but at the end of the day it’s all a learning experience and come next season they will be in a much stronger position when it comes to getting over the line.” ●● Lewis Holding