Stags secure Richardson Cup final slot

WEST LANCS LEAGUE SLYNE WITH HEST ......... 2 ROSSENDALE FC ............ 4 STEVE BAYES

AFTER two postponed league matches Rossendale returned to action with a Richardson Cup Semi Final against premier league side Slyne with Hest, the match being played at Coppull United.

An outstanding performance from all the squad brought a fabulous 4-2 victory and a place in the final against premier league side Chew Moor Brook.

Rossendale were brilliant all over the pitch against a big Slyne with Hest side that pushed forward at every opportunity, but

Rossendale with and without the ball kept them in check by working hard for each other all over the pitch, going forward Rossendale showed some real class and Slyne struggled to contain the front three of Wylie, Stannard, and Hulme, and backed up from mid field by Saunders Foster, and Simpson they caused problems throughout the game for the Slyne defence, and when Slyne did have the ball they were harried into making mistakes caused by the constant closing down of the whole Rossendale side.

And when Slyne did get forward they were dealt with by some superb defending from Rossendale’s back four of Hilton, Joe Haworth,

Nangle and McInnes, but it was Slyne who made the stronger start to the match and the first real chance fell to them on 4 minutes when a scramble in the 6-yard box saw keeper Vinny McLaughlin eventually grab the ball on the goal line.

Gradually Rossendale made inroads into the Slyne defence and on 15 minutes they opened the scoring when a hasty clearance fell to Mickey Saunders on the edge of the area his volley into the floor saw Scott Wyle the first to react as he hooked the ball into the net to give the Stags the lead. It was end to end football with defences keeping attacks to a minimum but the best of the chances fell to Rossendale, on 36 minutes Luke Simpson got free in the area and his vicious shot brought a brilliant save from the Slyne keeper. 2 minutes later Tom Hulme weaved past 3 defenders his shot beat the stranded keeper but agonizingly came back off the post. But on 44 minutes another brilliant flowing move from Rossendale ended with a hand ball in the area and a penalty for the Stags, Wylie stepped up and smashed the ball hard and low past the keeper to double the Stags lead.

Into first half injury time and Slyne threw everything forward and forced a corner resulting in them getting a goal back when a scramble in the six-yard box fell to a Slyne forward who forced the ball home.

The strong start to the second half from Slyne didn’t materialize as much as expected, this was mainly due to Rossendale’s slick movement forward which meant Slyne couldn’t get as many men forward as they wanted.

Two solid challenges from McInnes on the left touchline left the big forward sprawling.

These challenges showed Slyne that Rossendale weren’t going to be rolled over easily, on 55 minutes a Jordan Hilton corner was met by a Tom Hulme header that flashed just wide.

But on the hour mark the Rossendale pressure told as Wylie cut in from the right and his neat chip into the six-yard box was met by a Simon Nangle diving header into the net to give the Stags a 3-1 lead and a two goal cushion. And before Slyne could get back into the game it was 4-1 when Tom Hulme on the edge of the box with his back to goal back healed the ball into the path of Wylie who slipped the ball past a defender before smashing in his hat trick goal past the startled keeper.

And two minutes later it was nearly five as substitute Sam Moriarty’s audacious shot from 30 yards nearly caught out the Slyne keeper who was off his line.

Slyne did reduce the arrears when they were awarded a dubious penalty on 74 minutes.

But Rossendale were in no mood to relinquish their 2 goal lead, the introduction of fresh legs from Henry Hindle, Reagan O’Brian and Stuart Craig helped see out the remainder of the game comfortably, the final whistle brought huge celebrations with the players and supporters.

So a place in the final awaits where they will meet premier league high flyers Chew Moor Brook at LFA County Ground in Leyland (PR25 2LF) on Thursday 27th April, kick off is 7.30 pm.

Back to league action and weather permitting there are two away league games over the Easter weekend, Saturday sees a trip to Ulverston Rangers (LA12 9DR) with a 3pm kick off.

Followed by an Easter Monday trip to Eagley (BL7 9PQ) again with a 3pm kick off.