Roulers go Nap
By Phil Owen
The Saints matched the league front runners for 75 minutes but succumbed to the superior attack
The Saints matched the league front runners for 75 minutes but succumbed to the superior attack of the Rouslers, Heather defended well and were unlucky to one down at the break, a 45 minute debatable penalty decision which was converted by Cowley. Although the Saints frustrated the home side in front of goal they rarely troubled the hosts keeper and a certain amount of inevitability for further goals came at 73 mins by Edwards, 77 Cowley, 83 Burns and completed by Shorthouse 84.
Manager Stephen Rigby added Levi Dawson to the back four, and into mid field Ross Clark, joined by Michael Clark on the bench, the three making sufficient contributions to the side and welcomed back Leon Wellor.
The first goal mouth action came after 8 minutes when the hosts scrapped Ben Alsopps post following a corner, then Callum Rudd made a crucial intervention to keep the scores level.
Ross Clarke for the saints was spraying several quality balls and one to Shane Smith who in charging forward was thwarted on his way to goal, at the other end Rudd helped his keeper out by booting clear on the line following a Jason Cowley shot, shortly before the break Cowley shaved Allsops upright.
Following minimum contact by Dawson in the visitor’s box on Cowley the referee adjudged enough to warrant a spot kick, which up jumped Cowley to send Allsop the wrong way to separate the teams at the break.
BS FC 1-0 HSJ
Shortly after the restart Smith set up Michael Gyasi whose effort brought Jon Brown in the home goal into action.
The Rouslers doubled their advantage after 73 minutes courtesy of Luke Edwards who picked up a half cleared ball. Allsop made 2 excellent saves before goal number 3, Cowley getting his brace 4 minutes later.
The hosts capitised on rare slack defending Robin Burn running onto a upfront punt to slot home for number 4, the scoring completed by sub Shorthouse with the clock ticking down.
The Saints continue in the league this coming Saturday 1st April away to Chelmsley Town and travel to Aylaston ground Tuesday 4th for their Leicester Senior County Cup 7.30 kick off, hopefully to progress to join Leicester Road in the Final.
Final Score BS FC 5-0 HSJ FC |