Mainwaring fury as Stags are hit for six
LANCASHIRE FA AMATEUR CUP RND 2 AFC SHERWOOD 6 ROSSENDALE FC 1 ROSSENDALE put in one of their worstperformances ever likely to be witnessed on a football pitch on Saturday as they went out of the Lancashire Cup with a whimper.
It brought to an end a five-match unbeaten streak, was their first loss of the season and certainly won’t be their last if they play like that again!
Within 10 minutes the home side were 2-0 up after a mistake from goalkeeper Matt Richmond allowed the tamest of shots to go through him and trickle over the line for the first and then a simple flick on and finish made it two. Rossendale looked bewildered.
They did regroup and pull a goal back when the returning Adam Nichols headed home from a corner, but that was about as good as the fight back got.
By half time they were 4-1 down and really struggling. Stern words were dished out at the interval and Rossendale did instantly score through Michael Robinson, but this was dubiously chalked off for offside when it looked a bit tight.
AFC Sherwood lead by former Preston North End professional Warren Beattie looked a good outfit, but were made to look a lot better by a lack of fight and communication amongst the Rossendale players.
The away side were toothless up front and clearly missed striker Carl Lomax who was missing with illness and had absolutely no tenacity or pace in the centre of midfield with Gino Mancini and standout performer of the year so far Antony Davis both casualties from last week’s 4-0 win. That being said there should have been enough in the side to at the very least compete.
AFC Sherwood made it 6-1 with two late goals on the break as Rossendale pushed men forward to try to at least salvage some pride in the game.
Manager Steven Mainwaring said after the game: “I’m disgusted by what I have just seen out there – players not even able to make basic five-yard passes to each other, lads not talking to each other, marking men, I honestly can’t believe what I’ve just watched.
“Some players need to have a long hard look at themselves, they really do, because I won’t put up with that kind of performance let me tell you!
“Yes, we had three key players missing and a couple of lads playing through illness, but it’s no excuse for me at all.
“We are going to have these issues all season, we are yet to have all our strongest squad available at one time yet and I doubt we will have all season, that’s what a squad is for and players should take their chances when they come. I guarantee you changes will be made for next week.”
This Saturday Rossendale take on Old Boltonians in a top of the table clash.
Neither side has lost in the league and Rossendale could give debuts to centre half Jordon Warburton and attacking midfielder Will Foster.
‘Some players need to have a long hard look at themselves’