2023_24 Season – Match Report 06

Date – Saturday 19^th August 2023

Competition – Staffs County Senior League – Premier Division

Venue – Hillsfield, Rocester

Rocester FC v Audley & District FC

Kick-off – 2:00pm

Result – Rocester FC 3-2 Audley & District FC

 

Goals a plenty and yet another 'nail-biting' finish...

 

From the start, the Romans appeared to be 'up for it' and they more than shaded the first half...

 

With just five minutes on the clock, 'new signing' Scott Bew was on the score sheet for the Romans as he latched onto a great 'through-ball' from Mo Al Amin in front of Audley's goal and made no mistake with the shot...

 

RFC 1-0 ADFC

 

Just as in the previous two matches, the Romans didn't ease up and just two minutes later, following more pressure, they were awarded a corner. A nicely weighted ball found Jordan Dodd in space at the far post and the resulting header flew into the net to make it two-nil to the Romans...

 

Only four minutes later, Scott Bew nearly 'bagged' a second goal as his 'dipping' shot from outside Audley's 18-yard box just cleared the cross bar...

 

Not long after, Mo Al Amin saw another speculative shot curl away just inches outside the upright and it seemed that the Rocester 'front' men were causing problems for the Audley defence every time they pressed forward...

 

However, with about forty minutes on the clock, a 'full-blooded' clearance of a loose ball by the Audley 'keeper hit Scott Bew 'full in the face' as he endeavoured to chase the ball down, and that was the end of his debut appearance as he was 'subbed'...

 

 Half-time score - RFC 2-0 ADFC

 

Following the restart, (just as in the previous two matches), our opponents clearly responded to their 'half-time’ team talk...

 

Within just four minutes of the restart, Audley had reduced the deficit when following early pressure, Kyle Peake found himself 'un-marked' and in possession in an otherwise crowded 18-yard box. He wasted no time in unleashing a powerful shot which gave goal-keeper Lewis Jackson no chance of saving!!!

 

RFC 2-1 ADFC

 

This acted as a 'clarion-call' to Rocester who 'rallied the troops', and just seven minutes later they once again extended their lead following a prolonged skirmish right in front of the Audley goal during which time, they were awarded a penalty for a 'handball'...

 

Jordan Dodd 'stepped up to the plate' and despatched the shot with aplomb - straight into the left-hand corner of the goal, giving Audley's 'keeper no chance of saving...

 

RFC 3-1 ADFC

 

To their credit, Audley picked themselves up and showed a real 'never say die' attitude, and in the 70th minute, following yet more pressure, they forced a corner to the left of the Romans' goal...

 

Jake Peake's delivery was sublime as he took full advantage of the windy conditions to produce an 'in swinging' shot which cleared every man in front of Rocester's goal and then neatly dipped and swung straight into the goal without further assistance!

 

RFC 3-2 ADFC

 

For the second time in two consecutive games, the 'Rocester Faithful' were kept on the edge of their seats right up to the final whistle as the Romans endeavoured to 'steady the ship' whilst Audley 'gave their all' in a bid to take something from the game!

 

However, Rocester held fast to take all three points...

 

Full-time score - RFC 3-2 ADFC