Rossington Main 1-0 Armthorpe Welfare

Rossington Main 1-0 Armthorpe Welfare
Northern Counties East League
Saturday 21st August 2021

Jack Watson's goal settled an underwhelming 'Donny Derby' as Rossington Main leapfrogged Armthorpe Welfare in the NCEL (Division One) table with a 1-0 win at Oxford Street.

In a game of few chances, the match-winning moment came midway through the first half when Watson capitalised on some slack marking at a set-piece to finish emphatically from a few yards out.

Rossington created the better openings over the course of the game and almost had a second goal to show for their efforts just before half-time when Bailey Conway's drive was palmed by Armthorpe 'keeper Callum Fielding towards Watson whose follow up attempt came back off the post.

Niall Doran was also thwarted by Fielding in a one-on-one after the re-start; a chance which was sandwiched between two penalty shouts from the hosts as Jason Stokes and Watson were knocked to the ground inside the box though nothing was given.

Armthorpe's threat was sporadic and a spell of pressure in the closing stages, along with a few set-pieces, ensured a nervous finale - especially when Fielding ventured forward deep into injury-time, but it proved to be to no avail as Rossington held on for maximum points.

The win did come at a significant cost, however, as substitute Cameron Barnett lasted just a few minutes on the pitch before he sustained what appeared to be a serious and nasty knee injury which could keep him sidelined for a significant time.

Rain showers were intermittent throughout the afternoon, and Rossington began slightly the better of the two teams - spending quite a bit of time in possession inside Armthorpe's half without really being able to pierce the visitors' defensive shape from open play.

Watson's opener was the first goalmouth action of any note and it came from a corner. The ball was delivered towards the back-post where it was knocked back across goal to an unmarked and perfectly-positioned Watson who smashed it emphatically with his right-foot into the net.

Rozzo then began to encounter a few problems. Up until this point, the defensive trio of Conner Williamson, Greg Young and Gary Mundy looked a formidable proposition and had rarely been troubled but Mundy had sustained an injury and needed to be replaced with Cameron Barnett eventually given the nod just past the half-hour mark. However, the 20-year-old's time on the pitch lasted no more than a couple of minutes because he suffered suspected knee damage whilst turning in an off-the-ball incident. His discomfort quickly became apparent to everyone and, unable to continue, player-manager Ben Hunter was brought on to replace him.

Both teams then had an opportunity apiece as Tyla Bell's low drive from distance was routinely gathered by Fielding, whilst Matty Hughes let fly with an attempt for Armthorpe at the other end (the only thing they'd really done up to this point) though it didn't trouble Kian Johnson.

Rossington then came very close to doubling their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Fielding palmed Bailey Conway's well-struck effort straight into the path of an on-rushing Watson whose follow-up cannoned back off the post.

Despite hopes that the second half would bring about more goalmouth action, it didn't prove to be the case as the game remained short on clear-cut openings.

Stokes couldn't believe he wasn't awarded a penalty when he was knocked to the floor having got past an Armthorpe defender following a neat and nimble passing interchange and that was before Williamson went close with a deflected back-post header from a corner which Fielding did extremely well to keep out.

Fresh from celebrating his birthday earlier this week, tenacious midfielder Bailey Conway soon underlined his importance to Rossington with a chance-preventing sliding interception on the edge of his own box that set in motion a counter-attack where Doran fired wide.

Doran went closer to doubling his team's lead when he capitalised on a slip by a defender and found himself in a one-on-one with Fielding on 71 minutes though the Armthorpe 'keeper read the situation perfectly to foil his opponent and make another crucial save.

Armthorpe's threat was sporadic as Adam Baskerville often cut a lonely and isolated figure on the frontline whilst it could be argued they missed the creativity offered by Harry Brown. Their best hopes of an equaliser seemed to be from set-plays but despite a number of balls into the box across the duration of the second period, they were well-defended by Rossington.

In the closing stages the hosts had another appeal for a spot-kick appeal waved away after Watson was floored inside the area (though on initial viewing it appeared as if he accidentally tripped himself), and on the brink of injury-time 'Man Of The Match' Conway let fly with a fizzing strike which was palmed wide by Fielding.

The Armthorpe 'keeper journeyed up to the other end of the pitch in hope of netting a dramatic equaliser deep into injury-time but the subsequent corner came to nothing and Rossington, just about deservedly, held on to collect a hard-fought three points and move up to fourth place in the division.

It certainly wasn't always pretty in this game and the free-flowing, attacking football which has earned Rozzo numerous admirers in recent weeks wasn't always evident. They had to 'dig in' to get their reward and Armthorpe will no doubt feel a bit deflated that they weren't able to produce a better performance and stay above their local rivals in the table.

My thoughts go to Cameron Barnett on the injury and it can only be hoped that the damage doesn't sideline him for the long-term - especially as he had such a positive pre-season and was looking as though he could be a key player in what Rossington are trying to achieve this term.