On the back of 4 classy wins Rosehill went into the second round game of the VIC BETTNEY MEMORIAL TROPHY away to Black Rock Rovers at Braypool knowing that they would have to play very well to win against a young Black Rock side.
We knew the smaller pitches at Braypool would not suit Rosehill's style of play. Playing against a team who are top of their league and have scored 24 goals in their 5 games this season we knew it was not going to be an easy game.
From the start Rosehill created many chances to no avail but went ahead on 24 minutes following a goal from Sharpy. Rosehill scored again on 30 with a half volley from Stonham and then went into the break 3-0 up after a goal from Walker when he rounded the keeper on a 1 to 1 before tapping the ball into an empty net.
The half time talk centred around being a game of 2 halves and the lads went back out thinking it was still 0-0 and all to play for.
From the kick off Rosehill had 90% of the play and were running rings around the Black Rock defence with Shrubby and his trickery making it difficult for them to tackle him.
On 50 minutes Charlie got the goal of the game which was an amazing lob over the keeper geting a bad knock in the process, there was only one person who was going to get that and it wasn't the keeper! With 54 minutes gone Stonham scored a quality goal after an assist from Shrubby. On 55 minutes Sharpy scored again with a simple tap in after the keeper fumbled and then Rosehill added to this on 63 minutes with Chris Emmet heading in from close range, his first of many we hope.
The final goal from Rosehill was a penalty brilliantly converted by Stonham after he was brought down following some good work by him in the box.
With the game well and truly won Black Rock pushed forward and had much of the last 10 minutes and had a couple of great chances but could not convert following the brilliance of Adam in goal.
Today the defence was resolute albeit work stills need to be done but was great and secure once again. The back three of Lee, Tom, Max, later replaced by Lewis were great and Shrubby and Newman were great defending and going forward.
James Freeman just in front was immense as usual as was the never stop running Sharp. Mark Davis replaced James to save him for next week and was at the heart of everything. Jamie Kuxhaus replaced Shrubby to give him a break for next week's game and did very well.
The front two of Charlie and Ben had many opportunites and their tacking and running back was class.
The passing today was first class, Rosehill were first to every ball and the team spirit and discipline was second to none.
Some of the players thought that Black Rock were a poor team but they are top of their league and we gave them their biggest defeat ever! We made them look poor with our will to win and the opportunity to succeed and to get into the last eight and once game away from another semi final.
Everyone played incredible today and we need to take thi into next week's SSFL trophy against Rottingdean Village Sunday who are 4 divisions higher than Rosehill.
Keep up the good work lads - Brilliant performance and even better than last week. We have scored 26 goals in the last 5 games and conceded 5. THe only problem with a side playing so well is giving chances to all the players to perform. As the season goes on more and more players will get their opportunity to excel. I promise.
Onto next weeks game against Rottingdean Village Sunday and if we play as well as we have done the past two weeks we will come close to pulling off the shock of the round.
IMMENSE !!!!!!
Cheers - Tone
