All change but Stags keep up pursuit of title
ROSSENDALE brushed aside Bury GSOB and picked up three points after quite an eventful couple of weeks off the pitch.
The management duo of Steven Mainwaring and Anthony Taylor handed in their resignations, with Kevin Lee stepping up to take the reins.
Following on from a 1-1 draw last week the Stags needed three points to keep momentum in the title race and boy did they deliver.
In blustery conditions it was Bury that started the game the strongest and could have taken the lead had it not been for a brilliant finger tip save from keeper Matty Richmond, when a Bury player was given time and unleashed a goal bound shot from distance.
Bury were pushing and probing the Rossendale defence early doors, but against the run of play the away side took the lead when a corner was expertly headed home from Paul Hooper on 21 minutes.
This seemed to give Rossendale a bit more confidence, they began to get on the ball more and be more comfortable in possession.
On 33 minutes they doubled their lead when following another corner, the ball found its way back out to the far side of the box, where Michael Robinson twisted and turned, dropped his shoulder and fired in a low drive inside of the far post.
It got better for Rossendale two minutes later when from another corner Eddie Holden rose the highest to head home and make it 3-0, Bury literally didn’t know what had hit them.
Into the second half and with Rossendale now kicking into the wind, they were always going to have a more difficult half.
Bury did apply some early pressure and within ten minutes had pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Matthew
‘It’s been difficult, but I’m really proud of the reaction from the lads’
Kirkbright was adjudged to have pulled down the Bury striker.
Seemingly with their tails up Bury pressed the Stags, but found a resolute defence and a very steady pair of hands in Matty Richmond in goal who had an excellent game.
Rossendale eventually added to their total when Hooper crossed into the box, Will Foster was on hand to put the ball in the net and give the stags a valuable three points.
Caretaker manager Kevin Lee said: “I’m really happy with the boys performance today, we played like we did against little lever a couple of weeks back and blew them away in the first half.
“It’s been difficult given the circumstances, but I’m really proud of the reaction from the lads, they’ve all dug in and showed a real camaraderie and it’s been a pleasure to be around. We’ve got games coming thick and fast now. We are taking it one game at a time but if we stick together like we have been doing then the results should follow.”