Rossy put title rivals to sword
WEST LANCASHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 2 ROSSENDALE FC ............ 3 WALNEY ISLAND ............ 0 OSSENDALE were back in action this week following a lengthy lay off which saw them play their last match away at Dalton FC on December 6th.
The timing of the fixture looked questionable between the two clear front runners in the race for the title and certainly a baptism of fire for both sides after the Christmas break.
Rossendale needed nothing less than a victory as going into the game they trailed Walney by three points albeit with a game in hand on the league leaders. But judging by the results in the first half of the season and the fact both teams have rarely dropped points, a Walney victory would have made things tough for the stags moving forward.
Onto kick off and the home side settled in really well, they looked good in possession and kept a disciplined shape throughout, in contrast the away side looked like they couldn’t keep hold of the ball, when they did take hold of it they seemed to only have one style of play which was hit it long upfront and hope they could nick a goal from the leagues leading scorer who was leading the line for them.
It wasn’t long before Rosendale eventually broke the deadlock, it came after good work in the box from Tom Hulme, he was dragged down as he twisted and turned a defender leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot for a penalty.
R●● Rossendale FC duo Jordon Hilton and Micky Saunders
Hulme stepped up and put the ball into the bottom left hand corner leaving the keeper with no chance.
The stags doubled the lead shortly afterwards in the 34th minute this time Scott Wylie found space on the left of the box, drilled in a shot which somehow hit a divot, bounced up and hit the keeper in the face with the rebound falling into the lap of Tom hulme who tapped home for his second of the match.
As half time approached it could have been three when Luke Simpson shot from distance but the keeper made a great save to tip the ball over the bar.
Into the second half and
Rossendale didn’t relent. They always knew one goal from Walney and they were right back in it but the away side didn’t look anywhere near like Scoring and in fact failed to register a single shot on target throughout the whole game.
Rossendale added a third in the 67th minute when Darryl Holland scored a brilliant header from a Scot Wylie cross when he looked the ball over the Walney keeper from distance with great technique.
Walney battled on, but couldn’t break down a resolute defence. Right back Jordon Hilton marked the former league leading scorer (overtaken in this match by Tom Hulme) out of the game, whilst Michael Saunders in midfield had his best game yet in a Rossendale shirt as he constantly made tackle after tackle in midfield, but also broke the forward line time and again causing mayhem and another outlet in the stags offensive game.
The game finished 3-0 and after the match we caught up with manger Ray Davis “I’m delighted with that result today, it was fantastic to start the year with three points in a game that we’ve had our eye on for the last few weeks.
“I must admit, having not played in a month, I thought that if we were going to get caught out in a game it would be this one, but fair play to the team they dug in and really it was men against boys out there.
“Walney were really poor, they didn’t turn up at all and we’ve got to hope that they put in more performances like that because if they do they are going to drop more points that’s for sure.
“We just need to take care of third placed Freckleton this Saturday, at home again and if we win that then ourselves and Walney are way out in front and it’s a race for the title.”
Rossendale FC take on Freckleton FC, kick off 2pm at Marl Pits (Saturday 11th January).