Another game, another win for Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.
Confidence was high going into the match against Rosehill after the 7-0 win recorded against them just a month previously.
This was a much changed Rosehill side from that match and they started well, stringing together some good attacking moves. Immanuel on the other hand looked lacklustre and struggled to get the ball on the deck. Despite the good start from Rosehill, it was Immanuel that broke the deadlock. The busy Simon Hodgkiss cutting inside and striking from outside the area. The ball found a divot and looped agonisingly over the despairing keeper who will be disappointed not to have done better.
It didn’t take long for the second to come. As always, James Leech was causing the defence problems with his pace and determination and his persistence paid off on 15. He got to the by-line and smashed the ball across goal, the keeper could only get a hand to it and it fell nicely for Tom Dillon to stroke home for his first of the season.
Rosehill looked wounded and Immanuel were seemingly in control but the referee then offered Rosehill a lifeline. The ball was smashed at Tyrone Archer and it ricocheted off Archer’s foot and hit his hand, which was raised but he could count himself seriously unlucky to have it given against him. The penalty was dispatched and it was game on again.
Immanuel re-established their two goal cushion just before half time. Leech again putting the ball into the 6-yard box and causing confusion between keeper and defender. Both of them left it and Dillon again pounced. 3-1 at half time.
The half time teamtalk was just a case of reiterating that the game wasn’t yet won, although the talk was unfortunately cut short due to the referee wanting to talk to the Immanuel manager, Andy Parky. Oh, how Parky loves these little chats he seems to have every Sunday.
To stand any chance of getting back into this game, Rosehill needed to start the second half well. But that wasn’t to be. Tony Brereton met a corner and although he should have done better with the header, it was somehow turned past the keeper by one of his own defenders, leaving Brereton claiming his first of the season. He can claim all he wants, he isn’t being awarded it!
Two minutes later and it was 5. The unusually wasteful James Leech picking up a pass from Toby Hodgkiss before lifting a perfect shot over the keeper and into the net to effectively end all hopes of a comeback.
Further goals from a James Leech tap in and Stephen Mooring smashing into the roof of the net to end a lovely team move meant the score at full time was 7-1 but the second half will be remembered for a succession of missed chances from Immanuel. Leech in particular, not as lethal as we’ve come to expect although his overall performance and effort could not be faulted.
Simon Hodgkiss also hit a post as Immanuel set up camp in the Rosehill area in the latter stages and John Spencer managed to mark his 5 minute cameo with his own contender for miss of the season.
All in all, a 7-1 victory was no more than Immanuel deserved but they will need their cutting edge back next week if they are going to triumph in the top of the table clash against Brown Cow Olympic.
