Plucky, unlucky Rossie win hearts but not points

Date published: 29 November 2009

Saturday 28th November 2009 Unibond League Division One North

Skelmersdale United 2 v 1 Rossendale United

Rossendale can count themselves more than a little unlucky not to have come away from Skelmersdale on Saturday with a draw as for the whole ninety minutes they produced a performance full of grit and determination only to see the points cruelly snatched away from them.

From the start Skelmersdale’s lively forwards were always going to give the Rossendale defence a busy afternoon and Tom Clarkson saved Rossendale’s blushes in the first few minutes with a last ditch clearance when a defensive mistake let in Mark Houghton.

In the 14th minute Rossendale took the lead when Jason Hart burst through the Skelmersdale defence and was hauled back by Steve Akrigg for which he received a yellow card. From the free kick on the edge of the box Shaun Williams forced a great save from Damien Eastham in the Skelmersdale goal but from the resulting corner a goal mouth melee lead to Clarkson prodding the ball home from close range.

Skelmersdale drew level in the 35th minute when, from a free kick out to the left, captain Michael White beat every one to the ball and his header into the top corner left the Rossendale defence stranded.

On the stroke of half time Brocklehurst produced a great double save to ensure the Dale went in level.

Straight from the restart Rossendale almost regained the lead when Josh Mitton’s shot from the edge of the box clipped the top of the bar and went over.

Despite all of their efforts Rossendale fell behind in the 66th minute when Shaun Foster got on the end of a good move and Rossendale were left chasing the game again and almost equalised when a loose clearance saw Clarkson produce a fierce shot from 30 yards which cannoned against a post and rebounded away to safety.

Rossendale kept up the pressure to the end and reduce the opposition into delaying tactics and no doubt they were relieved to hear the final whistle.

Rossendale Team

Tom Brocklehurst, Ben Jackson, Keith Wedge, Bee Ami, Harry Bockarie, Matt Walsh, Ian Barker, Tom Clarkson, Josh Mitton, Jason Hart, Shaun Williams

Substituites

Alex Leke (for Hart), Tom Williams (for Williams), Alex Mallion (not used), Simon Nangle (not used), Andrew Charlesworth (for Barker)

Attendance 257