Unbeaten run goes down to Stags’ final tie
STOREYS OF LANC .... 0 ROSSENDALE ............... 3
ROSSENDALE’S last away match of this remarkable season saw the team travel up the M6 to play Storeys of Lancaster.
The title-winning squad was still stretched to the limits, with Scott Wylie and Joel Haworth joining the injury list, but leading scorer Tom Hulme returned and with Matt Moore continuing in goal and Dylan Harris making his first start for the 1st team they ran out 3-0 winners to extend their unbeaten season to 25 matches.
The fastest goal of the season so far saw Rossendale open the scoring inside the very first minute with great work down the left from Luke Simpson who ghosted past defenders. He cut inside on the by line and laid the ball into the path of Tom Hulme who in turn squared for Paul Stannard to fire home into the corner off the net.
Three minutes later a Joe Haworth free kick brought a great save from the Storeys keeper, tipping the ball over.
Rossendale continued to press forward in search of a second goal but the stubborn Storeys defence kept them at bay, whilst at the other end Storeys were in search of an equalising goal but any chances they created were wasted or else dealt with by the miserly Rossendale defence.
On 27 minutes Dylan Harris tried his luck from distance but again the keeper came to Storeys’ rescue, palming the shot round the post, his shot being the nearest the Stags came to adding to their early goal in the first period.
The second half was a different affair. With Storeys also short on player numbers were visibly tiring as Rossendale pressed on going forward, and only desperate clearances kept the visitors at bay. On 65
minutes Harris got clear and as the keeper came out he slid the ball agonizingly the wrong side of the post.
Then on 69 minutes a wake-up call for the Stags as a hopeful long free kick to the back post was met by a Storeys player who headed the ball over keeper Moore into the far corner of the net only to be pulled up for a foul.
Three minutes later some breathing space at last for the Stags as a goal bound shot was blocked by a defender’s arm – the referee awarding a penalty.
Tom Hulme’s spot kick was saved low down by the keeper pushing the ball onto the post – unfortunately for the stranded Storeys keeper the ball rebounded to Hulme who fired into the empty net to double the Stags lead.
The second goal knocked the stuffing out of Storeys and Rossendale added a third on 80 minutes when a through ball found Hulme who took the ball round the keeper and fired home for his second of the game and his 31st of the season.
Rossendale are now one game away from a unique West Lancs League record. If they avoid defeat in their final league match on Saturday when Walney Island are the visitors to Marl Pits they will have gone through the whole league season undefeated.
The match kicks off at 3pm, and hopefully the league winner’s trophy will be presented after the match.
The match may have to be played on the top pitch at Marl Pits due to the ongoing work on the surrounding running track blocking access to the centre pitch.