Revenge sweet as Stags sink Saints
LOSTOCK ST GERARD’S. 0 ROSSENDALE FC RES .... 3
THE Stags reserves followed up last week’s victory with another comprehensive win on the road in Leyland on Saturday.
Lostock were the only outfit to beat Rossy in the league prior to the postponement of the league so there was an extra incentive for revenge in this fixture.
Early in the game Rossy showed they were well up for it, as they started very well. They dictated play and created some good early chances.
Lewis Reeder found himself through on goal with a good chance on the 17 minute mark but dragged his shot wide and five minutes later he was through one on one again with just the keeper to beat but this time the stopper pulled off a great save to deny Rossy an opener.
As much as Rossy were getting the better chances, Lostock were making a game of it and nearly scored themselves from a great free kick but keeper Matty Moore managed to claw it out of the top corner and then pounce on the loose ball.
With half time approaching and scores still 0-0, the Stags had managed a few more shots on goal, but each time the Lostock keeper who was in fine form had been equal to them, he also marshalled the back line really well.
It was going to take something special to breach his goal and that came in the 40th minute when midfielder Jonathan Booth picked the ball up 25 yards out from goal and smashed a looping shot right over the keeper leaving him with no chance. An excellent finish.
Coming out for the second half and the next goal would be crucial. Rossendale showed no signs of relenting and within five minutes of the restart they had a penalty when Martin Trickett was upended through on goal.
He stepped up to take the penalty but it was saved by the Lostock keeper and on the break from the save Lostock could’ve equalised had it not been for Matty Moore yet again pulling off a quality save.
In the 62nd minute Rossy went close again through Tom Walker when he just had to stroke the ball home but was thwarted again by the keeper.
He wouldn’t be denied minutes later though when he picked up the ball on the right side, shrugged off two defenders and hit a tremendous strike across the keeper into the bottom left corner.
Lostock were well out of it now, they kept trying but Rossy set a relentless pace and in midfield Owen Brighty was outstanding.
The away side couldn’t live with him. He put in an all action performance, tackling, work rate and real quality on the ball.
As the game ebbed away Walker added his second and Rossy third when he turned in a cross to make it 3-0.
After the game manager Chris Clark said: “Fantastic performance today, probably the best we’ve played all season to be honest.
“Every player on the pitch today worked hard, made no mistakes and had it not been for their keeper we’d be talking 6-0 right now.
“Defensively we were tough and we created so much so just really happy with the lads and hopefully next week we can finish strong at home when we host Hurst Green.”