 |
|
 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||
|
2007/2008 Final League Table
Match Reports Match reports are written by Joe Franklin (Chief News Editor). Rothwell Athletic vs Wortley Rothwell Athletic 2 Wortley 2 Rothwell Athletic earned a draw in the last minute after a battling performance against strong opponents. The home team was looking for a big improvement in form after a disappointing and demoralizing effort in midweek in the Supplementary Cup semi-final when losing by the odd goal in seven. Morale couldn’t have been helped when the visitors opened the scoring after just one minute. Wortley won a corner and the excellent delivery was met by an equally skilful volley into the roof of the net, although the scorer was unchallenged in the centre of the goal. Having taken the lead, Wortley then took the game to Rothwell, although the play overall was scrappy. The home defence was mounting a rearguard action and both full-backs, Patrick Franklin and Joe Ansboro, were playing well. Rothwell started to get a stronger foothold in the game but found it hard to create openings against a well-organised and strong opposition defence. Ben Scargill kept persevering and Athletic thought they had equalized when his cross was not held by the goalkeeper and Reece Fennel turned the ball in from near the goal-line after the ensuing scramble. However, the goal was rightly disallowed by the referee for offside. Reece Fennel almost broke through again shortly afterwards but Wortley continued to apply the greater pressure. James Morris averted danger with a fine saving tackle and then cleared well with his head as he marshaled the home defence. Then, when the Athletic defence was breached by a great through ball, Dan Bell made a great save to deny the forward through on goal. Rothwell had competed well in the first half whilst creating few chances. However, they then equalized with an excellently worked goal. Patrick Franklin won the ball on half-way with a great challenge. He passed to Ben Scargill who in turn found Alex Harrod-Edwards. He in turn hit a trademark through ball for Reece Fennel, who ran on and lobbed the keeper. The goalie got a finger-tip to it but Reece ran on and scored to make it 1-1. The goal clearly buoyed the home team and they looked a lot sharper as the half drew to a conclusion, with Joe Ansboro and Josh Morley linking well on the left. At half-time, home supporters were pleased that their team had come back from a bad start and managed to get back in to the game against very good opponents. The second half took a little while to settle down. Wortley enjoyed greater possession and territory and, after a couple of couple of shots off target, they re-gained the lead with a well-taken headed goal from a cross from the left. Rothwell didn’t let their heads drop and continued to match Wortley for effort in an absorbing contest. Michael Callaly came on for his debut and showed a lot of pace on the right-wing, whilst on the other flank, Joe Ansboro and Josh Morley combined in an excellent move that resulted in a corner. The game was starting to open out as the second-half wore on but there were few threats on goal. The visitors twice broke dangerously, and from one of these moves, they hit a shot narrowly over the bar. Athletic’s best effort came when the ever-dangerous Reece Fennel got through on goal but his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. However Reece Fennel was not to be denied and he delighted home supporters with an equalizer in the last minute, scoring after being put through on the keeper. Wortley supporters claimed off-side but the referee, who was excellent throughout, correctly allowed the goal to stand as another player, and not Reece, was in a potentially offside position but had not become “active”. This was the referee’s second big offside decision of the game and he got both right, one against each team. A draw didn’t really help Athletic in their bid to finish in the top four, but, as the game ended, Athletic supporters were very pleased with their team’s performance against strong opponents, whilst Wortley will have been disappointed at conceding late on and not having held on for a win. In a game in which both defences played well, the other notable feature had been the quality of the goals scored. Man of the Match – Joe Ansboro
Menston Juniors vs Rothwell Athletic Supplementary Cup, Quarter Final Menston Juniors 1 Rothwell Athletic 2 Rothwell Athletic earned a semi-final place with a narrow but deserved win in a closely-fought cup-tie. The visitors knew they would need to perform better than in their previous visit this season in the league, when they lost. They arrived with depleted numbers for the match but it was soon apparent that the hosts were missing several players also. The playing surface was in remarkably good condition, despite the recent weather, with just a couple of areas needing attention before the kick-off. Less welcome was the strong wind, a feature of several matches this season, and which was blowing straight down the pitch. Rothwell kicked off playing with the wind but it was Menston that made the brighter start. They were unable to create any openings from their early pressure however, with good defensive work from the visitors. Rothwell soon started to apply pressure of their own and Reece Fennel shot just wide after good play from Ben Scargill. Menston replied with a dangerous break, forcing a very good save from Dan Bell. Both sides were looking to attack and there was very little between the teams. The deadlock was broken however, mid-way through the half with an excellent trademark corner from Reece Fennel. The ball was whipped into the six-yard area with the wind and the home goalkeeper parried but was unable to keep the ball out of the net. Menston went in search of the equaliser and almost scored but the shot seemed to catch in the wind and drift past the post. They then almost capitalized on some hesitation in the visitors defence but Dan Bell blocked the shot and the follow-up was hit inches wide. In-between times, Josh Morley placed a superbly weighted pass through the Menston defence for Reece Fennel to run on to and go clear on goal only for the referee, who was otherwise excellent throughout, to give offside. Rothwell enjoyed more of the possession as the first half continued and away supporters were hoping that they could get a second goal whilst playing with the wind. However, Menston were still looking dangerous, particularly on the right flank. Jack Turner foiled one attack with a great clearance and Joe Ansboro was impressive throughout at left back. Josh Morley and Alex Harrod-Edwards were playing extremely well in midfield and the latter created the second goal that Athletic were looking for before half-time. He hit an excellent defence-splitting pass to Reece Fennel who netted his second with a beautifully taken slide-rule finish. Rothwell played strongly for the remaining minutes of the half and, at 2-0 up, away supporters were cautiously optimistic at half-time, but expecting that the home team would battle strongly in the second half with the wind behind them. However, concerns that Rothwell would be on the back foot in the second half simply didn’t materialize as they gave an excellent battling performance. The home team were never allowed to settle as their visitors closed them down constantly and chased every ball. The whole team worked tirelessly for each other and when there was any potential danger, Ben Scargill and Sam Osborn were on top in defence. Joe Collinson and Patrick Franklin chased down every ball in midfield and so did Josh Morley and Alex Harrod-Edwards whilst still looking to create opportunities in attack. Rothwell began to exert the greater pressure, creating a few half-chances but potential opportunities were regularly snuffed out by an excellent central defender, Tom Turner, playing No6 for the home team. In addition to his sterling defensive work, he brought Menston back into the game when he made a great run down the wing and his cross was headed home well to make the score 2-1. However, to their credit, Rothwell responded well and Menston were restricted for the rest of the game to a few long-range efforts. In fact, the latter stages were played largely in the home team’s half as the visitors sewed up the match, with Reece Fennel and Joe Bedford putting in excellent battling displays. The game ended with Athletic supporters delighted with their team’s performance and progression to the semi-final. Both sides deserved a lot of credit for the way they looked to play football and Menston also for their sporting attitude after the game.
Rothwell Athletic vs Calverley Utd - 16/03/2008 Rothwell Athletic 6 Calverley Utd 0 Rothwell Athletic continued their good run of form with an emphatic win against old rivals Calverley Utd..
The normally good playing surface at Rothwell had suffered because of heavy recent rain and a match the previous day, which left the pitch in a very heavy state. Calverley made a bright start to the game, without creating any clear openings. The home team soon started to assert itself with Reece Fennel prominent early on. Rayheem Liburd also caught the eye with some good work in attack, shooting just wide and then being foiled by a good tackle. Any possibility of danger from United was dealt with impressively by the home defence, with Joe Ansboro and Joe Collinson being particularly impressive. Patrick Franklin almost opened the scoring for Athletic when he made a good supporting run from full back, received a pass and shot just wide. The same player was involved in the next move, finding Rayheem Liburd, who was tripped in the area for a clear penalty. However the home team failed to take advantage when the normally deadly Reece Fennel shot the spot kick wide. Calverley’s reprieve didn’t last for long with Reece Fennel resuming normal service within a minute. He opened the scoring with an expert finish following good work from several colleagues in the build-up, including Alex Harrod-Edwards, Rayheem Liburd and Joe Bedford. Rothwell were now playing good football, passing well despite the heavy conditions. Joe Bedford forced a good save and Josh Morley shot just wide. Alex Harrod-Edwards and Reece Jukes were both playing well as the hosts got well on top. The second goal was looking likely and it duly came when Joe Bedford received the ball from Reece Jukes’s throw. He shrugged off a defender with his trademark determination, rounded the keeper and then ran the ball in to the net for a very well-taken goal and a 2-0 lead. Rothwell continued to press the visitors back until the half-time whistle was blown. A feature of the first half was the way in which the home team looked to pass the ball. This was typified by the performances by Joe Ansboro at full-back and midfielder Josh Murray. They linked together very intelligently, not for the first time this season, creating some of Athletic’s best moments from the left-hand side. The wind started to pick up as the second half kicked off and it was slightly in Calverley’s favour. Just as they had done in the first period, the visitors opened strongly and headed just over from a free-kick. However, Rothwell soon started to get on top again and were creating most danger when the ball was played out wide, where the pitch was heavy but nowhere near as boggy as the quagmire that was developing in the middle. Rothwell soon scored again to make it 3-0 with an excellent goal, created by more great play from Joe Ansboro and Josh Murray. They linked beautifully to find Reece Fennel who ran in on goal and finished expertly. Reece Fennel almost got his hat-trick when he received a great pass from Patrick Franklin but his shot this time was just wide. Athletic were well on top now and Alex Harrod-Edwards was having another influential game in midfield, through his encouragement of his team-mates as well as his excellent passing. The home team then underlined its superiority with three more goals. Joe Bedford followed up to score after his own pass had found Reece Fennel, whose shot had been half-stopped by the keeper. Joe Bedford then got his hat-trick, finishing coolly when through on goal after Reece Fennel turned provider with a great pass. Not to be out-done, Reece Fennel also got his hat-trick when he scored to make it 6-0, following a fine move involving Joe Collinson and Ben Scargill. The visitors battled on gamely as they looked for a consolation, but Joe Ansboro, who had a fine game, was on hand to clear the ball away from his own line in the last action of the game. Rothwell had won with plenty to spare, scoring six goals, two hat-tricks and keeping a clean sheet. Both teams deserved praise however, for looking to play football in a game that was played in the right spirit and handled well by the referee. Rothwell Athletic gave an excellent performance but had to settle for a draw in a remarkably high-scoring game.
Conditions were far from ideal with a fierce wind blowing down the length of the pitch, although the playing surface of the large pitch was very good. Rothwell were looking to follow on from an emphatic win against Rothwell responded well and Alex Harrod-Edwards had an excellent effort cleared off the line. The visitors were playing down-wind and looking to use it to their advantage, with Ben Scargill having a great long-range effort pushed round the post by the home keeper. Then the home defence only just held out on their own line from Reece Fennel’s dangerous corner. Rothwell continued to enjoy the lion’s share of territory and possession. However, the home team was threatening on the counter-attack, looking to split the Rothwell defence with through balls for their quick centre-forward. James Morris was regularly alert to this danger and Josh Morley displayed some very good tracking back from midfield to help his defence. The first goal duly came for the Amateurs from a ball played through the middle which put the forward through on goal and he finished expertly. Athletic continued to take the game to the home team and Joe Bedford forced another great save from the Amateurs keeper, after some great work from Joe Collinson to set him up. Reece Fennel, who had a fine game, almost scored after making a brilliant run from deep, latching on to Ben Scargill’s excellent pass.
The visitors continued to shoot from distance, as they looked to seek an advantage from the conditions. With one such effort from a free-kick, Reece Fennel fired just over. Rothwell were now dominating the match but another scramble in the box came to nothing. However, just when away supporters were wondering if it wasn’t going to be their day, their team got the equaliser with Josh Morley being the quickest to a loose ball and firing a great left foot shot in to the corner, giving the home team’s excellent keeper no chance. Ben Scargill almost made it 2-1 straight away but his shot was blocked. However, Athletic took the lead from their next attack when, after a ricochet in the area, the ball was played to Reece Fennel who scored from close range. Dan Bell in the Athletic goal was virtually a spectator at this stage and his side soon made it 3-1 with a superb volley by the impressive Ben Scargill from a beautifully delivered corner by the equally eye-catching Reece Fennel. Rothwell continued to play the game in their hosts half with the home keeper saving a good effort from Josh Morley. Then Alex-Harrod Edwards, who was playing tenaciously and with very good vision, battled really well to find Joe Collinson. He in turn passed to Reece Fennel whose lob hit the bar in the last action of the first period. At half-time, the visiting supporters were very happy with their team’s display but were wondering whether a two goal lead would be enough. They were expecting a hard battle in the second half against determined opponents and the wind. Within a minute of the resumption, the view that the game was far from over was confirmed, when Amateurs won a penalty. There could be no argument with the decision, given for a trip after an untidy passage of play when Rothwell failed to clear their lines. The penalty was converted with ease to make the score 3-2. Athletic battled back, not letting the elements or their opponents get on top of them, even when a Reece Fennel attempt to lob the keeper was foiled by the wind. Reece Jukes typified his team’s display with some strong runs down the right side and good working back to help his defence. The next goal was going to be important and the home team thought they had the equaliser when they scored after a deflected free-kick. However, the referee quite rightly disallowed it for offside. The official then gave his second penalty of the match, this time in favour of the visitors, for pushing. Once again, his decision was spot on and there was no argument from the home team. Reece Fennel coolly dispatched the penalty for his second goal and a 4-2 lead. There was no time to relax however as the seventh goal of this pulsating game was scored almost immediately. Rothwell had chances to clear the ball in their own area but failed and an attacker was left free to score easily. The home team then almost equalized straight away when a clearance from Dan Bell was met by a great long-range reply that went just wide. Amateurs pressed for an equaliser without creating any clear chances and Rothwell continued to try to get forward themselves on the counter-attack as the game began to get scrappy in the poor conditions. The visitors then scored again to make it 5-3 with a superb goal. It was created once again by Reece Fennel (personal tally for the game -scored 2 made 2). He passed after a superb run and dribble, finding Joe Bedford who then showed great strength and skill to shrug off defenders and shoot past the keeper. Ben Scargill almost scored again with a free-kick over the bar but it didn’t seem to matter as Rothwell entered the last few minutes of the game with a two-goal lead. However the home team set up a tense finale when a long-range shot nestled in the corner of the goal to make it 5-4. Dan Bell then made a quite superb save to tip a shot over the bar, but to no avail. Deep into added on time, Amateurs scored the equaliser when a forward, on his own in front of goal and looking suspiciously offside, was found and he slotted home to make it 5-5.
There was no time for any more excitement as the final whistle blew. Rothwell Athletic’s supporters were rightly very pleased with their team’s performance and felt they had probably done enough to win, especially as they had held a two goal lead three times and so late into the game. However, great credit was also due to the home team who battled back for a draw. Both teams also deserved praise for the way they played despite the extremely windy conditions. Man of the Match : Alex Harrod-Edwards
Wortley vs Rothwell Athletic Wortley 4 Rothwell Athletic 2 Rothwell Athletic lost to old rivals Wortley, but went down fighting in a compelling and very competitive match. Conditions were perfect on a bright winter’s day, but the pitch was small with a pronounced slope. Wortley won the toss and chose to play uphill in the first half. Rothwell started strongly and the early pressure paid off when Reece Fennel latched on to a Ben Scargill pass and scored with a classy looping shot over the goalkeeper. Wortley responded but James Morris was alert to danger and twice snuffed out home attacks. At the other end, Ben Scargill and Alex Harrod-Edwards were passing well in midfield and they combined to find Joe Bedford who almost got through with a good turn and run on goal. However, Wortley were also threatening and Jack Turner and Sam Osborn both made good clearances. Wortley were starting to cause the visitors problems with their direct style of football. Attacks were channeled through their target man up front, who showed power, skill and determination. Rothwell then conceded an equaliser after a lapse in defence gave space to Wortley’s main front man and he launched an unstoppable shot past Dan Rothwell almost got back in front straight away when an intelligent quick throw from Reece Jukes found Reece Fennel who shot narrowly wide. There was no doubt that most of the passing football was coming from the away side as they tried to play constructively and the game was an interesting clash of styles with Wortley proving equally dangerous as they looked to get the ball forward more quickly. The home team then took the lead when their centre-forward scored with another excellent shot, this time direct from a free-kick given for a foul just outside the area. At 2-1 down, Athletic responded well with Reece Fennel running at Wortley’s defense. He was found well by a pass from Joe Ansboro, who had a very tidy game, but his shot was cleared off the line after he had beaten the keeper. The home side was also continuing to threaten through their powerful direct style. They were through on one occasion but the shot was dragged wide and then they scored their third goal in ten minutes with another effort from a set-piece. This time they took advantage of a mix-up in the Athletic defense from a long throw and scored with a soft shot. Rothwell could have been shell-shocked to have been 3-1 down but, to their credit, they persevered and stayed in the game. They almost scored from their own long throw from Reece Jukes, but Ben Scargill’s header was saved. However, the latter was not to be denied for long and he scored an excellent goal out of nothing with a superb lob shot just before half-time to bring the score back to 3-2. Rothwell finished the half on top with Joe Bedford continuing to battle hard and Josh Morley, Alex Harrod-Edwards and Ben Scargill maintaining their good passing and movement in midfield. At half-time, visiting supporters knew there was all to play for but were concerned about how the home team might use the pronounced slope on their pitch in the second half. From the kick-off, Wortley started strongly and Rothwell were kept in the game by two excellent saves by Dan Bell. Then he topped these efforts with a wonderful stop to deny Wortley’s centre-forward and main threat his hat-trick. James Morris was also having an excellent game, showing great positional sense in the heart of defense as Wortley threatened to take the game away from Rothwell. The threat from the home team started to subside as Athletic worked their way back into the match with the home keeper making a good save from a Reece Fennel free-kick. However, Dan Bell once again saved his team shortly afterwards when he blocked a shot when one-on-one with a Wortley attacker. The visitors then started to apply great pressure of their own and Wortley were penned back in their own half as Rothwell searched for an equaliser. A good move started by Joe Ansboro and Patrick Franklin saw Josh Morley put Reece Fennel through on goal only for his shot to be blocked by the keeper. Then the referee pulled back play to give a throw-in not given by his assistant, just as the visitors were about to score. The referee appeared out of his depth throughout the match as he made a series of unfortunate and mystifying decisions, including failing to act despite seeing foul play. The pressure from the away team reached a crescendo as James Morris hit a deflected shot just wide and then Ben Scargill hit a post after a scramble following a corner. This was one of a succession of corners won by the visitors and from another, Ben was unlucky again as his effort came back off the bar. Incredibly, the second half had not produced a goal as it drew towards the end, despite lots of opportunities for both teams. As we reached the last few minutes, Wortley started to get a foothold back in the game and visiting supporters sensed it wasn’t going to be their day. Then the half finally yielded a goal with Wortley making it 4-2. They scored their third set-piece goal after forcing a corner, with the ball connecting with a Rothwell head for an own goal. There was just time for one more attack from Wortley as they threatened to give the score a lop-sided look but the shot was wide.
The final whistle blew with Athletic supporters and players feeling they deserved to get something out of a very competitive contest between two determined teams. Credit was due to both sides for producing a stirring and well-matched encounter. Man of the Match: James Morris
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
