Lostock end unbeaten run for Stags
WEST LANCS LEAGUE RESERVES DIVISION 2 ROSSENDALE FC ........0 .2
ROSSENDALE’S unbeaten start to the season came to an end on Saturday against a very good Lostock outfit.
The home side who started the game without leading goal scorer Tom Walker immediately looked the inferior side as Lostock dominated possession with the stags taking a while to get a foothold in the game.
The away side had a few chances early on but their lively front pairing struggled to beat keeper Matty Moore or were guilty of poor finishing when through on goal.
Rossendale were limited to rare glimpses at goal and when they did get opportunities they were found wanting themselves with poor quality finishing.
The biggest problem the stags faced was they allowed a Lostock midfielder to completely dominate the game With the stags midfield unable to get anywhere near him enabling him to dictate the play and probe the home sides defence with quality through balls.
The game was still 0-0 at half time and with Lostock not able to make their pressure count for the first 20 minutes of the second half Rossendale actually began to look the better side and started to create chances themselves with Trickett going through but ballooning the ball over the bar and then on 68 minutes centre half Dec Humphreys had a golden opportunity to put the stags in front with a clear shot on goal in the area but his shot sliced wide much to the disappointment of the crowd.
As always with football this missed opportunity was punished moments later as the Rossendale defence played the ball across their own area, Humphreys Failed to control properly and the Lostock striker nicked the ball off him, rounded the keeper and scored the opening goal.
1-0 down and with 23 minutes left, it was going to be a tall order for Rossy to get something out of the game now with how the game was being played out and it was actually Lostock who added a goal when Nobab Miah weakly gave up possession in defence, Lostock crossed and the cross was duly dispatched by the Lostock number 10.
The game finished 2-0 with Rossendale failing to make any real attempt to get back in the game.
Manager Chris Clark said: “I’m disappointed with the result, I thought personally it had 0-0 written all over it but we unfortunately lost and I’m going to put that down to naivety more than anything else.
“We didn’t perform as we have been doing. But we still could’ve taken something from the game. The midfield didn’t do their jobs, they let one man dictate the game, the strikers probably wouldn’t have scored if they were still playing now and to be honest at the back we weren’t that bad, but individual errors cost us and they had quality strikers who punished us when we made those mistakes.
“Luckily we play Lostock next week at their place so we have the unusual scenario of being able to avenge this defeat next week. Knowing these lads how I do they won’t let that opportunity slip by because from what I’ve seen in that dressing room just now there is going to be some reaction next week.”