Swallownest 5-2 Rossington Main

Swallownest 5-2 Rossington Main
Northern Counties East League
Saturday 19th December 2020

Sometimes there are no other words you can use and Rossington Main's performance in this 5-2 hammering by Swallownest can only be described as a complete shambles.

From start to finish, Main were out-battled in every area and performed like a bunch of strangers who'd only just met one another. With the exceptions of Jordan Buckham, Bailey 'Mascher' Conway and Bobby Faulkner (whose efforts were at least noticeable), the hunger, desire and body language shown elsewhere across the outfield team wasn't good enough; nor was it remotely close to being anywhere near good enough.

It was the worst Rozzo performance this season by a country mile and a far cry from the free-scoring and free-flowing displays which were produced by largely the same group of players before lockdown. Therefore, that's what makes it all the more disappointing because so much potential/capability is there and, for whatever reason, it just wasn't shown.

Even the most timid managers would have thought about venting expletives in response to what was witnessed and, if marks were given out, nobody would have scored anymore than a '5/10'. Some lads would have got just a '2/10' or a '3/10' and it's only kindness which stops me from mentioning names. It was just very bad, too many heads weren't on it and, collectively, almost everyone let themselves down.

Swallownest could only beat what was put infront of them and although a quick glance at the league table will show they're hardly the most formidable of opponents, the 5-2 scoreline was a true reflection so they thoroughly merit every plaudit which they'll receive in the coming days. Such was their dominance that missing two penalties, plus having three other shots rattle the woodwork, didn't matter one bit - if they'd put any of those chances away, the scoreline would have been frightening!

Even during the quarter-hour or so in which the game was goalless, the warning signs that this might be a long afternoon were apparent because the hosts adapted better to the heavy pitch, got to grips with the task at hand and went within a whisker of scoring with their first attempt when a warning shot clipped the top of Rossington 'keeper Callum Fielding's crossbar.

On 14 minutes, the opener finally arrived as Swallownest's Richard Williams found space to meet a cross between the last defender and the out-rushing 'keeper and having taken the ball round Fielding, he slotted it calmly into the net.

Even at this relatively early stage, Rossington were in need of inspiration from somewhere and Bailey 'Mascher' Conway showed glimpses that he could provide the required spark with his trademark combativeness and fearlessness in centre-midfield though it simply wasn't being matched by anything around him. Elliott Walker, operating at right-back, did however throw the gloves he was wearing back to the dugout to signal that he meant businesses and it wasn't long before he provided a good delivery into the box from which Tyla Bell managed to force the 'keeper into a save.

Despite a further shot on target soon afterwards, matters quickly unfolded and things got a whole heap worse for Main who conceded a second goal when Callum Greaves was on target on 34 minutes, not long before Fielding was then caught out by Tom Cropper's speculative cross-cum-shot from the wide-right which sailed over him and into the back of the net to put Swallownest into a 3-0 lead. Such was the magnitude of the visitors' already appalling display that even a certain Roy Cropper (nevermind Tom Cropper) would have fancied his chances of being able to get into the team and make more of an impact!

With the half-time whistle fast approaching, Jordan Buckham provided the faintest glimmer of hope with a curling free-kick from 25 yards but any optimism about a comeback was quickly extinguished as Alex Lill easily worked his way past a defender and fired home to make it 4-1 within 10 minutes of the re-start.

The floodgates were now well and truly open and with Rossington showing zero signs of fight or determination, they were very much there for the taking. A missed penalty prevented any further immediate damage to the scoreline whilst a combination of luck (as another shot rebounded off the upright) and profligate finishing (a striker couldn't convert from a few yards) spared more embarrassment.

Jason Stokes squandered a gilt-edged 'sitter' to reduce arrears to 4-2 having been put through with a large target to aim at, and more misery was to be had as Swallownest soon added a fifth goal with Tyler Bradley becoming the latest player to add his name to the score-sheet.

Rozzo's Tyla Bell responded with a scrappy finish for his sixth league goal of the campaign on the brink of injury-time but there was still enough time for the hosts to win (and miss) another spot-kick, though it didn't matter in the slightest bit.

With the 'Donny Derby' against Armthorpe Welfare coming up next on Boxing Day, Rossington know they'll need to play a million times better if they're to earn local bragging rights. If there's one certainty following this bruising reality check, it's that they can't play any worse!