Rossington Main 1 - 2 Handsworth FC

Thanks to Tim Rowland for this supporters view;-

Five league games to go and unbeaten in 12 games but still not there yet with 3 teams breathing down our necks. Albion would have back to back games with Glasshoughton so a great chance for the Ambers to pull clear starting with today’s game away to Rossington Main. Rossington themselves were on a decent run of form with only 1 defeat in 7. Managed to prise myself away from the bar this week to see a couple of changes to the team with captain Patterson having served his suspension returning in place of Carr and keeper Poulter taking his place in goal for Flynn. Old heads would be needed for the run in, speaking of which a Happy Birthday to Sir Jas, 29 today. Line up : Poulter, Johnson, W Hill, Colliver, Griffiths, Gwindi, Roebuck, Patterson, S Smith, Broadbent, Ward & a very strong bench today with Tootle, L Hill, Hindley, D Smith & Carr. Handsworth kicked off and Sir Jas was still celebrating his birthday as his clearance was charged down and the Ambers were under some early pressure with a couple of corners and Rossington’s 10 had a couple of efforts with the second sailing over the bar. However, that was it from a Rossington threat point of view as Handsworth went on to dominate a pretty dull first half but without the killer punch. Broadbent was his busy self and flicked a header on to Smith who volleyed first time and the keeper saved. Good work down the right from Gwindi and Johnson’s cross found Roebuck and the keeper saved again. Johnson then saw his effort saved and Roebuck’s deflected effort had the pace taken out of it and the keeper diving the wrong way managed to recover well. Rossington were feeling the heat as the full back called his number 7 a lazy man without a father for getting caught offside too easily. Eagle then shouted to Wes to ‘sit’ and we all looked at each other worryingly as we thought he had said ‘strip’. Sam’s control let him down following good work by Ward and he wasn’t the only one struggling with his first touch in the opening period. A long ball and the keeper advanced to the edge of his area only to handle just outside the box and a booking for his trouble. Patterson took the kick and disappointingly straight at the keeper. A quick free kick and Broadbent’s header was saved and his follow up trickled towards goal only to be cleared off the line. The keeper was injured in the process and received lengthy treatment and needed to be patched up as he was having a good game and the home side had only the 2 substitutes. The half ended as Colliver played a diagonal ball to Gwindi on the left and his shot never troubled the goal. Half time and the Ambers were dominant but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. It is a measure of this team that a point away from home is just not good enough and nothing but all three will do. Wes was suitably refreshed after his half time Mars bar and no changes for the Ambers whereas Rossington’s 12 replaced 10 who it was overheard was suffering from dizziness. After a disappointing first half the second began with Handsworth in the ascendency and a period of pressure produced a corner that was cleared and the home side raced away to the other end and Griffiths tripped his opponent right on the edge of the box and a dangerous position earning him a yellow card. Left hand side of the box the wall covered that side of the goal and Poulter seemed to be hiding behind the wall as 4 passed the ball into the opposite corner 1 - 0 and not sure the keeper was ready. Barely 2 minutes of the half gone and it spurred the Ambers into action as 2 minutes later a header was saved and the ball fell to Smith who drilled a cross shot across the face of goal and Roebuck at the far stick tucked the ball away for the equaliser with 49 minutes on the clock. Sir Jas played a wonderful long straight ball, not the only one today, and Broadbent was out muscled when one on one. A soft free kick for a so called foul on the keeper and the pressure was mounting as Colliver and the excellent Griffiths were holding their end up. When the Ambers pass the ball they are more than a match for anyone in this division and one such move instigated by Gwindi saw a double save from Smith. Lee Hill replaced Broadbent and he occupied the left hand side and Roebuck was pushed up front. Wes Hill played a great through ball to Ward and with the keeper in no man’s land Cal’s lob bounced in the netting but unfortunately the netting ‘behind’ the goal. Smith crossed from the right and Lee Hill’s header found the keeper. Rossington were still in it and the skipper had a free header at the far post following a free kick and then 5 had another free header that was comfortably saved by Poulter. Ward was another Amber having a terrific game and he made another foray into the box only to be tripped by the full back to ridiculous shouts of “dive” from the Rossington crowd. A really soft penalty and a chance for Smith to smash home his 28th of the season. The kid has no nerve. 2 - 1 One of the Rossington players was feeling suicidal as he barged into the Handsworth manager and we couldn’t stop laughing. The Ambers did not rest on their laurels as first Lee Hill shot over and Ward’s effort was saved. ‘Cool as a cucumber’ somebody shouted as Sir Jas calmed the game down. Still time for Smith to cut inside on his left and rattle the post and the game ended with Ward crossing to Smith and his first time effort went over. Full time 2 - 1. An excellent second half performance, recovering well after going a goal behind and the reward a 6 point gap at the top as Glasshoughton beat Albion 3 - 1 and they play again on Tuesday. Another win for Glasshoughton and a win for the Ambers next Saturday at home to bottom of the table Appleby and barring a miraculous turnaround in goal difference we will be promoted. Come on you Ambers!