Responding in style to opening loss

WEST LANCS LEAGUE DIVISION 2 RESERVES CHIPPING FC ............... 0 ROSSENDALE FC ........ 8

FOLLOWING on from the reserves opening day defeat on Saturday the lads only had to dwell on the disappointment for two days before they were back in action and what a reaction they gave.

Another defeat was out of the question, but with bodies back available and a full bench to choose from the Stags looked stronger albeit goalscorers from Saturday Trickett and Milan missed out with both carrying knocks.

Rossy came flying out of the blocks with Tom Walker back in the side the young striker was leading the line like a seasoned veteran.

Constantly looking dangerous and bullying the central defenders with his old school robust style.

The away side could literally have been three or four up with 5 minutes with the whole front three of Walker, Reeder and Buckley testing the keeper on many occasions.

Fresh off rattling the bar with a thunderous strike Walker opened the scoring when Buckley crossed in from the right and he was there on the six yard box to tap in from close range.

More chances followed for Rossy but on 17 minutes a carbon copy of the first goal but in reverse gave them their second goal again following good work from Walker, Buckley finishing this time from close range.

The Stags were dominating all over the field defensively and back at full strength they were in complete control, in midfield they looked comfortable but were forced into an early change when Settle limped off in the 20th minute with what could be quite a serious injury.

The third goal came when substitute Alex Nuttall opened up the Chipping ball with a decisive through ball. Walker outpaced and outmuscled the central defenders and finished with lethal intent.

The score stayed 3-0 till half time and conscious of Saturday in their minds Rossy weren’t for letting Chipping back in the game.

Within three minutes the Stags had a penalty after Walker was crudely fouled in the area.

Up stepped centre half Matt Lord who smashed home the goal with a ruthless strike leaving the keeper only able to watch.

Goal number five followed shortly after when substitute Joe Maycock turned a cross goalward, but it hit the post and rebounded into the path of Harry Buckley for his second of the game.

Rossendale weren’t for taking their foot off the gas and Chipping were now resorting to dirty tactics in order to stop the waves of attacks with Owen Brighty bearing the brunt of many a poor tackle as he drove through midfield.

In the 73rd minute Buckley completed his hat trick, with further goals from Joe Maycock and debutant Sam Kershaw who looked particularly sharp when he came on.

Joint manager Jonathan Heap said after the game: “It was a fantastic reaction from the lads, the squad was where we want it to be, the tempo, attitude and quality in front of goal I couldn’t fault it. We worked really well together and looked like a proper team.

“Everyone played their part from the starting eleven right through to all the subs.

“The only dampener on the night was the injury to Tom Settle but hopefully it won’t be a long one and he gets back fit soon.”