Stags set off with resounding win

ROSSENDALE FC started their West Lancs League second division campaign for 2021/22 season with a home match against Storeys of Lancaster visiting Marl Pitts.

Rossendale wasted no time rattling in five goals without reply in a 5-0 victory.

Despite defenders Adam McInnes and Joe Haworth absent and striker Scott Wylie serving the first of a three-match suspension, Rossendale started on the front foot and kept up constant pressure against the visitors defence, Rossendale opened the scoring in the third minute when Paul Stannard shot from the edge of the area the Storeys keeper let the ball slip through his fingers into the net.

More pressure from Rossendale and they doubled their lead on five minutes when Tom Hulme headed home. Rossendale continued to press forward and Storeys struggled to contain the eager Rossendale side going forward. On 12 minutes defender Jordan Hilton smashed a shot against the post with the keeper well beaten.

On 22 minutes the Stags scored a third when a shot was blocked the ball fell to Stannard on the edge of the area and his low drive found the corner of the net.

After 30 minutes Rossendale got a penalty for a foul in the area and Tom Hulme gave the keeper no chance with his spot kick.

Further chances came and went and on the stroke of half time Rossendale got their fifth when a Stannard cross from the left found Tom Hulme on the back post who headed home for his hat-trick.

A 5-0 lead at half time was no more than they deserved with Storeys offering very little to trouble the Rossendale defence.

It was difficult to see Rossendale keeping up the pressure they showed in the first and so it was as the pace of the game dropped Storeys had their fair share of the ball without causing the Rossendale defence many problems.

Into the final ten minutes and the Stags upped the pace and caused chaos in the Storeys area, a rasping shot from Owen Brighty smashed against the post and away to safety. Two fingertip saves from the Storeys keeper denied eager Rossendale players open goal chances, the referee could also have awarded a late penalty when Luke Simpson burst through the Storeys defence only to be up ended with the referee awarding a goal kick,

A convincing result for the Stags got the season off to good start with a welcome three points.