Stannard’s strike keeps Stags record stay intact
ROSSENDALE FC ............ 1 TURTON FC ...................... 0
ROSSENDALE’S 3rd group B match saw top West Lancs League premier league team Turton visit Marl Pits, with both teams with 100% records leading into the game a good contest was envisaged.
Another great all round team performance brought another close 1-0 victory for the stags.
It was certainly a game of two halves and if the premier league visitors were expecting an easy ride they were very much mistaken as Rossendale came out of the blocks on the front foot with midfielder Will Foster stinging the palms of the Turton keeper with a shot on target in the first minute.
Five minutes later a header from Paul Stannard was kept out by the keeper with Mickey Saunders follow up shot being cleared away.
Rossendale’s closing down was causing problems for Turton who were struggling to get forward and when they did The Rossendale defence cleared any danger.
Rossendale opened the scoring on 20 minutes when a Joe Haworth long throw was headed over the keeper into the net by Paul Stannard.
For the third consecutive game injury to their opponent’s goalkeeper meant a stand in keeper going in goal.
Rossendale continued to press forward and with the midfield trio of Mickey Saunders, Luke Simpson and Will Foster winning everything and creating chances it seemed a second goal would come, on 35 minutes a Scott Wylie header was clawed away by the keeper and three minutes later Tom Hulme shook his head in disbelief as his fierce shot was again kept out by the stand in keeper, as half time approached Turton’s first real attempt at goal cleared Sipocz’s crossbar.
As the teams came off at the break any neutral watching would have thought Rossendale were the premier league side they had dominated so much of the first period.
What a difference a half time break brings as Turton turned up the pressure in the second period and it was Rossendale who were now struggling to get forward.
It seemed the equaliser would come but with centre backs Simon Nangle and captain Adam McInnes a tower of strength at the back winning numerous aerial duels and full backs Jack Cassidy and Joe Haworth trying to prevent crosses coming in the thoughts of the stags holding out for a victory began to grow.
Keeper Sipocz was kept busy throughout the second period keeping hold of any shots on target and at one stage when the Turton forward was certain to score he pulled off a stunning save to preserve the stags lead.
The Stags failed to seriously trouble the stand in keeper in the second period, but could have been awarded a penalty when substitute Tom Hartley appeared to be bundled over but the referee waived away their appeals.
The final whistle came and the Rossendale team celebrated an outstanding performance and victory from the whole squad that maintained their 100% record in the group stage. Over the entire game Rossendale’s grit, determination and greater desire to succeed brought this deserved victory.
The other results in the 6 team group. Were Burnley United 0 Hurst Green 2, Chipping 1 Haslingden St Mary’s 0.
Rossendale and Premier League Hurst Green are in a strong position in the group with both teams having a 100% records from three games and the two teams meet on Saturday when Hurst Green Visit Marl Pits the game kicks off at 3pm