It was the turn of new table toppers Johnson's Buildings to be the latest team that tasted defeat at the hands of in-form Rose and Crown FC this week.
Rose had to make 3 changes to the team from the previous week, with all 3 changes needed in the back four, Carl was working and Wila and Jon were injured, so in came Smithy and Phil at centre back with Adam dropping into left back.
Johnson's Building were previously unbeaten this season and were sat at the top of the table but it was Rose that looked more like the league leaders in the early exchanges. A great ball from Phil found Ben who added to his impressive scoring record this season by firing low into the bottom corner. However from here on in both teams gifted each other goals in a frantic first half. First a mix-up between Phil and Adam gave the ball to a Johnson's striker who made no mistake with Dec advancing from his goal. Smithy restored Rose's lead after being left unmarked inside the box, a Dale corner was put back into the box by Pakie for our big centre back to superbly head home. Smithy soon went from hero to villian, raising his foot too high by kicking a opponent in the head, giving away a penalty, in which Johnson's did not miss.
Then it looked like Rose would finally get a grip on the game, a deep free-kick from Adam found Winty who brilliantly vollyed the ball into the roof of the net. Winty was then somewhat fortunate to be given his second goal of the game by the Dubious Goals Panel, a corner this time from Callum was headed into their own net by a Johnson's defender following the slightest of touches from Rose's stand-in captain.
Rose had a few chances to increase the lead but the away goalie made a couple of good saves, in main in keeping out a powerful effort from Winty. Pakie picked up a yellow card for a late challenge mid-way through the first half in what was starting to become a dirty game.
The second half started and basically finished with Johnson's Buildings putting the pressure on in search of getting something from the game, but like in recent weeks, Rose stood firm and battled to the end.
The game was starting to turn dirty with two-footed chalenges flying in, the Ref in all fairness could have acted on a few challenges but chose not too, this then seemed to give a few players the green light to continue with these challenges. Sim after being fouled several times had to eventually come off with 4 minutes remaining (or with the refs watch 10 minutes), at this stage Rose had already used all 3 subs.
Johnson's did get a goal back to make it a nervy final 15 minutes for Rose to hold on, in which Johnson's also saw an effort come back off the bar. Rose did hold on and claimed another scalp. Rose and Crown are now 1 of 2 teams with still an unbeaten record left in division 2 this season.
MOM - Winty, battled well and was a constant menace to the oppositions back line. His 2 goals today brought the clubs all-time leading goalscorer to 99 goals in 135 appearances.
