Cup woes for plucky Stags

Date published: 04 November 2009

Tuesday 3rd November 2009 Lancashire F. A. Co-Operative Challenge Trophy

Barrow 3 v 1 Rossendale United
With two new signings on the field and the likelihood of more to follow Rossendale produced a spirited performance at Barrow on Tuesday night but found the gulf between themselves and a team in the higher echelons of the Blue Square Conference a bridge to far. 

In an end to end game Rossendale more than matched their opponents and should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Alex Leke was clear on goal but he tried to place his shot with a controlled side foot effort but it was easily saved by Tim Deasy in the Barrow goal, 
Within minutes Joel Igenoza had another great chance when the ball fell to him in the penalty area but a miscued shot meant that the Barrow goal was saved again.
 
It was not, however, all Rossendale and the defence had to alert to contain the lively Barrow forwards and once again were made to pay as with two minutes to go to half time Logan broke down the left wing and his pin point cross was met by Andy Cook and he made no mistake from close range.
 
Rossendale almost equalised at the start of the second half but the width of a post rescued Barrow with Deasy well beaten. 

A three goal burst in the space of six minutes eventually decided the outcome of the game and in the 67th minutes in trying to clear his lines new signing Sam Holt only succeeded in rifling the ball past Tom Brocklehurst and three minutes later Andy Cooke added his second of the game. 

To their credit Rossendale never gave up trying and were rewarded two minutes later when Shaun William’s surging run was brought to a halt on the edge of the box and Jason Hart placed the resulting free kick wide of Deasy which was no more than Rossendale deserved. 

With time running out Chris Lawton and Andy Gayle both went close but it was not to be and Rossendale interest in cup competitions for the 2009/10 season ended.



Rossendale Team

Tom Brocklehurst, Harry Bockarie, Shaun Williams, Chris Lawton, Tom Clarkson, Matt Walsh, Jason Hart, Sam Holt, Joel Igenoza, Alex Leke, Adam Wagstaffe

Substitutes

Demaine Cousins (for Wagstaffe), Andy Gayle (for Igenoza), Danny Thomas (not used)

Attendance 256