2023_24 Season – Match Report 05

Date – Wednesday 16^th August 2023

Competition – Staffs County Senior League – Premier Division

Venue – Hillsfield, Rocester

Rocester FC v Lichfield City FC Casuals

Kick-off – 7:30pm

Result – Rocester FC 4-3 Lichfield City FC Casuals

 

An entertaining match with plenty of 'end to end' football and a good result for the Romans...

 

Following early skirmishes at both ends, first blood was drawn by the Romans in the 12th minute following an attacking move by the Casuals which was intercepted by Logan Toplis within the Rocester 18-yard box. He then played a series of "one-two's" with various team members as he advanced up the left wing which gave him the opportunity to put in a 'telling' cross which 'found' Jordan Dodd right in front of the Casual's goal, and he made no mistake with his shot to make it one-nil to the Romans...

 

Both teams continued to play attractive football and it was the Romans who made it count on the half hour when a great ball played in from the left-hand corner found Jordan Dodd who buried his header into the bottom corner of the Casual's net to make it two-nil to Rocester...

 

The Roman's didn't ease up and just eight minutes later, Mo Al Amin found himself in possession, in space on the left and just outside the Casual's 18-yard box. He instinctively unleashed a superb, curling shot which flew into the top right-hand corner of the net to make it three-nil to the Romans...

 

 

 Half-time score - RFC 3-0 LCFCC

 

Following the restart, Lichfield obviously decided that 'enough was enough' and appeared to step up to the challenge...

 

Following some pressure from the left, they were awarded a penalty for a 'handball' in the 52nd minute. However, Lewis Jackson anticipated well to save the resulting spot kick and deny the Casuals a goal!

 

However, just 7 minutes later, the Casuals were awarded a second penalty for a foul and this time, they made it count to make it Romans 3-1 Lichfield.

 

Just 3 minutes later and Lichfield created yet another great goal-scoring opportunity, and despite a decent shot, Lewis Jackson made a good save to deny them.

 

In reply, Rocester countered and played the ball up the left, and following an excellent cross, Sam Bates was able latch onto the ball in front of the Lichfield goal and his resulting shot left their 'keeper with no chance of saving to make it 4-1 to the Romans!!!

 

The remaining half hour saw more 'end to end' footy and Lichfield just didn't give up...

 

They were rewarded for their industry and endeavour when in the 78th minute, they scored from a cross to make it 4-2 and leave the 'Rocester Faithful' on the edge of their seats...

 

The remainder of the match was a real 'nail-biter' as the Romans tried to 'run down the clock' and unfortunately, 6 minutes of added time (due largely to time wasting), saw Lichfield score yet another goal on 90+5 minutes before the final whistle came to the rescue to seal all three points for the Romans!

 

Full-time score - RFC 4-3 LCFCC