Match Reports

Rope travelled the short distance to local rivals Woolston on a run of poor form and having lost the previous time the two sides met. On a sunny spring morning the game started with both sides hindered by a bobbly surface but still trying to pass the ball around. Rope were dominant from the off, with Jud Thorniley again taking the game by the scruff of the neck and dominating in midfield. Woolston still had enough chances to cause Rope the odd panic but keeper Callum Spencer stood firm. Rope had the majority of the ball and it was to their credit that they continued to pass the ball around despite the surface, however it was a good old fashioned bit of route one football that put them ahead as keeper Callum spotted striker Regan Foy in space up front and launched a ball upfield. Despite the Woolston keeper's best efforts to tackle, the ball ran free for Regan to tap home 0-1. Rope's second goal was less direct and saw the ball played through 3 men down the left before Regan Foy received the cross and superbly struck the ball across the goal into the far corner. 0-2 The second half saw Rope continue to dominate but Woolston still having chances too. It became clear that Rope had a big enough margin with 10 minutes to go and both sides appeared to take the result, with the pace dropping considerably. FT 0-2 A much better performance from Rope but still more room for improvement with 2 big away matches and a cup semi still to play. A good effort from Woolston but unfortunately when they cane up against Jud Thorniley at the top of his game and the players around him taking his lead. Thanks to them for playing a local derby in exactly the right way, lots of commitment, plenty of tackling but always sporting. Steve Kennedy