2023_24 Season – Match Report 12
Date – 23rd September 2023
Competition – Staffs County Senior League – Premier Division
Venue – The Drayton Beaumont Park, Birches Head
Abbey Hulton United FC Res. v Rocester FC
Kick-off 2:00pm
Result – Abbey Hulton Utd. FC Res. 0-4 Rocester FC
The Romans dominate proceedings to take all three points and also keep a well-deserved clean sheet into the bargain…
As we have come to expect, the Romans were pressing right from the word go and within the first couple of minutes, a high ball into the hosts’ area saw Jordan Dodd ‘head’ just over the ‘bar…
The Romans continued to dominate the early stages and in the 7th minute, Scott Bew was played ‘through’ in front of Abbey Hulton’s goal only to see his strike just clear the ‘bar…
Just a minute later, and the Romans regained possession, and as they broke, Mo Al Amin played the ball through to Scott Bew, who’s shot was deflected out for a corner which ultimately came to nothing...
However, seconds later they were back again to force a ‘throw in’ deep into ‘enemy’ territory - which then saw the ball played in tantalisingly across the goal mouth – all to no avail…
The following ten minutes saw Abbey Hulton having a bit more of the ball with some ‘end to end’ action before Rocester started to once again ‘call the tune’…
In the 22nd minute, Rocester forced a corner on the right, however the ball was cleared only to see the Romans regain possession before pressing forward up the right from where Izaak Walsh played in a lovely cross, only to see it headed out for yet another corner, this time on the left, which once again came to nothing…
The Romans continued to apply the pressure, and in the 28th minute, going forward once again, Scott Bew pounced onto a through-ball only to see his goal-bound strike stopped when the host’s goalie made a great save. It has to be said at this point, that Abbey Hulton’s ‘keeper was playing a ‘blinder’…
Just a minute later and the Romans secured yet another corner which found Miles Johnson, who’s header was unfortunately cleared…
Just as the Rocester ‘Faithful’ (sitting behind the opposition’s goal), were beginning to think that we were never going to find the back of the net, despite creating so many opportunities, Rocester once again quickly regained possession as Ash Elliott collected the ball on the left and ran ‘up-field’ before crossing to Jordan Dodd - who saw his shot cleared for yet another corner on the left…
From the corner, Luke Smith took possession on the far side of the host’s 18-yard box where he was adjudged to have been fouled as the referee immediately pointed to the spot! Jordan Dodd stepped straight up and fired his shot goal bound and to the left…
Despite the ‘keeper anticipating well and appearing to just about get his finger tips onto the ball, the ferocity of the shot ensured that Doddy had now fired the Romans in front with 31 minutes on the clock...
Just a couple of minutes later, and Abbey Hulton found themselves down to ‘ten men’ following a ‘sin bin’, but despite the superior numbers, and the creation of yet more ‘clear-cut’ chances for both Scot Bew and Mo Al Amin, the Romans were unable to add further to their tally in the first half - partly due to the continued efforts of the opposition’s goalie…
Half-time Score: AHUFC Res. 0-1 RFC
From the restart, it was more of the same with Rocester looking the livelier, and having more of the possession, and around the 55-minute mark, they were awarded a free kick to the left of the host’s area. The resulting shot was tipped onto the ‘bar to save a certain goal…
Just 2 minutes later and yet another shot (this time from the right), was parried onto the far post by the host’s goalie…
Rocester sustained the pressure and some five minutes later, Scott Bew latched onto a superb ‘through-ball’ from Izaak Walsh. The resulting shot gave the ‘keeper absolutely no chance of saving as Scott secured his third goal in as many games, to make it two-nil to Rocester…
Within seconds of the restart, the Romans were once again in possession and racing forward and were awarded a free kick just outside the host’s area as Ash Elliott was fouled… Unfortunately, the resulting shot was deflected…
Following the substitution of Jordan Dodd with the ‘fresh legs’ of Lewis McMurdo, Rocester continued their campaign as Ash Elliott broke up the left wing and crossed for ‘Macca’ and although this initial skirmish failed, just two minutes later, they were back in the running as Lewis McMurdo forced yet another great save from Abbey Hulton’s ‘keeper…
In the 72nd minute, the ‘Gaffer’ subbed Scott Bew and brought on Rhian Graham. Rhian was soon into his stride out on the right and his first telling run culminated in an excellent ‘through ball’ to the advancing Lewis McMurdo – who unleashed a great strike – only to see yet another great save!!!
The 78th minute saw Rhian Graham keeping possession as he raced up the right and then cutting into the opposition’s area, where he seemed to beat one player after another before burying his shot in the back of the net for a great ‘individual’ effort and to make it three goals to nil for the Romans…
It was looking like a war of attrition as the Romans waged one foray after another into the opposition’s half and in the 86th minute, another darting run up the right by Rhian Graham saw him play another great ‘through ball’ to the advancing Lewis McMurdo, who made no mistake with his shot to make it four goals to nil for the Romans…
Less than two minutes later, and they were on the rampage again, unfortunately, Rhian saw his shot saved!!!
Full-time Score: AHUFC Res. 0-4 RFC
Today saw an accomplished performance by every member of the squad and had it not been for a stellar performance by the opposition’s goalie, one can only begin to wonder what the scoreline might have been…