Rose & Crown FC made it into the Notts Cup 2nd round in style.
Before the game Rose had a lengthly absentee list which included several defensive players. Players unavailable for selection included Smithy, Adam, Carl and Dave, any of which would have probably started the game in defence. Brad chose to stick with the 442 formtion which included a un-tried back four in Phil and Wila at centre back and Jon, making his first appearance of the season, along with player-manager Brad filling the full back roles. Pakie was also making his first competitive start for Rose in centre midfield alongside the ever-present Sim. Callum and Dale continue on the wings with Winty playing alongside Ben in attack meaning Cal and Craig had to make due with a place on the bench.
Rose started the match in fine form and it did not take long before we were in front, thanks to the battling presence of Sim, along on the floor he managed to turn the ball into the net to start the Rose goal rush. Before Rose got their second Dec pulled off a smart save following a corner to deny he home side. Dale then produced a great run and cross to give Ben a simple tap in from close range to make it 2-0. Dale then, with a bit of fortune scored directly from a corner and it seemed everything Rose hit in the first half found the back of the net. The goal of the game was next in line, Callum picked the ball up some 35 yards from goal and within 2 touches he had controlled the ball and lobbed the keeper all ends up. 4-0 and counting! Vernon Villa had a rare chance, a deflected shot had to be brilliantly turned over by Dec. Ben got his second of the game just before half-time, after a Rose corner was only half cleared, Dale crossed for Ben to superbly volley into the bottom corner.
Although it was a new back four for Rose, we had players with plenty of Sunday league experiance, especially in Jon and Brad. This shone through as the backline was consistantly talking and keeping organised throughout the game.
At half-time time the message was 'more of the same'. Villa started the 2nd half trying to cut the deficit and the game started to begome a bit end to end. Brad was replaced by striker Cal on the 57 minute mark, with Dale moving to right-back, Ben to right-wing. And within 3 minutes Cal pulled the ball back for Winty to hit a sweet half-volley into the top corner. Craig then replaced Winty in Rose's final change of the game, and Craig should have perhaps added to the scoreline after he headed straight at the goalie following a cross into the box.
Dale was to get his second of the game after Ben, on a hattrick unselfishly teed Dale up to slot the ball beyond the advancing keeper. Ben did get his Hattrick minutes later after Craig was brought down inside the box. Ben stepped up and in true Pirlo style dinked the ball into the net.
Rose could have scored more in the second half but the home goalie made great saves to deny Pakie, Craig and Callum.
A cracking result today, playing away in Notts and coming back with a scoreline like this is unheard of. I cannot fault anyones perfomance today, Dec was solid between the sticks and got scouted after the match to play in the Notts Amatuer league for Nottingham All-Whites, a very good side. The defence although missing players looked solid and assured throughout the game. Our midfield showed battling qualities as well as vision, they out-played the home midfielders and did not let them get a foothold on the game. And finally our attack was again lethal in front of goal.
MOM - Callum, scored an absolute worldy and his constant running caused the home defence problems all game.
