Stags crown all but sown up with draw

ROSSENDALE FC ........ 0 KENDAL UTD ............... 0

THE first of three consecutive home games for Rossendale started with a big game in prospect with the title at stake for the Stags if they could draw or beat Kendal United, with just one point required to be crowned second division champions.

In front of a 100 plus crowd the match didn’t live up to the expectations, but a dour 0-0 draw secures the second division title for the stags.

Chances were at a premium throughout the match. The usual flowing football from Rossendale was missing as they tried to play longer balls forward without any success – when they did get the ball down Kendal defended manfully.

The closest Rossendale came in the first period was on 32 minutes when a Will Foster effort from a tight angle that stung the keeper’s hands, and a minute later Luke Simpson got close but snatched his shot over the bar.

In the second half Rossendale played slightly better picking up loose balls and closing down players but the final ball was still missing to enable any goal scoring chances. Kendal were still defending well but time wasting at every opportunity to deny a Rossendale victory.

Most of the play was now in the Kendal half of the pitch despite the pressure the breakthrough just wouldn’t come.

At the end of the match the Rossendale celebrations were a little muted.

It was the first time the Stags have failed to score in the league in 22 matches, but when the disappointment of the performance and result on the day are a distant memory they can be proud of their achievement this season winning the title, albeit on goal difference at the moment. It would take a massive quirk of results to deny them the title.

Rossendale would have to lose all their last four matches by a massive margin and Carnforth Rangers would have to win their last three matches by a massive scoreline for Rossendale not to be crowned champions see below.

Rossendale and Kendal United will meet again on May Day bank holiday, Monday 2nd May in the final of the Challenge Cup the match will be played at Euxton Villa with a 3pm kick off.

On Saturday Rossendale are at home to Garstang Reserves looking for the 1 point that would mathematically give them the title outright the match kicks off at 3pm.