Match Reports

We all turned up for this top of the table clash expecting a real tight battle with chances at a premium. What we got was a goal fest which while entertaining for the crowd must have had the managers pulling their hair out. Rope started the brighter, with Tom Corless terrorising the home defence with his pace. His first cross was met superbly on the volley by Regan and smashed home 0-1. It was nearly 2 as Jud Thorniley had a shot from way out which the keeper saved superbly with his fingertips. Tom Corless was in the thick of things again as he won the ball and played in Regan Foy who calmly hit it wide of the keeper. 0-2. At that point Rope were dominant but what was about to happen completely changed the game as the referee made the first of a series of questionable offside decisions and allowed Woolston to run through while clearly 2 yards offside- the striker placing the ball under the Rope keeper. 1-2 Woolston stepped up the pressure and again the Rope were caught square- this time a thundering last gasp challenge by Matthew Kennedy ended the attack and left the Woolston player needing treatment. Woolston attacked again and as their striker got into the box he was needlessley hacked at by the Rope fullback and a penalty was awarded. The penalty was dispatched low and to the right of the diving keeper. 2-2 Woolston finally took the lead as another long ball over the top saw 3 men stood clearly offside but again no whistle and a clinical finish. The referees interpretation of the offside rule clearly had the Rope defence baffled and they looked in disarray as Woolston twice broke quickly to score add two more 5-2. The Rope Manager and Coach urged the Rope boys to play the way they had at the start of the game when they had dominated- what the got was a lethargic response as they were caught dwelling in defence and the striker fired home across the goal into the far corner 6-2. Woolston made it seven with a break down the right only to see Jud Thorniley let one fly from 25 yards high over the Woolston keeper 7-3. Woolston continued their assault as a cross from the right was palmed away and the advancing striker coolly tapped it in 8-3. Again the home side attacked down the right sensing Rope were weak in this area and another dangerous cross was put to bed 9-3. Rope players were going down like flies at this stage- at one time having only 8 men on the field but pride was probably the thing taking the worst battering. Finally Rope got back to what they were good at and a ball to Tom Corless saw him outstrip the defence and play in a loveley ball to Cameron Geering who met it with a brave close range header 9-4. Woolston made it double figures as the Rope defence pondered and another shot across the goalmouth past the advancing Callum in goal 10-4. The last goal of the game went to the visitors as Adam got on the end of a corner, lifted over the keeper and stepped round him to tap into an unguarded net. FT 10-5 Not what anyone expected today. Rope can make their excuses- Nial Ford missing and Tom Weeder playing despite being in Casualty this week. The refereeing decisions baffled both sets of players and all Rope's hard work on defensive lines was of no use as the offside rulebook was thrown out of the window. That said- credit to Woolston- they were 2 down in 5 minutes and could have given up but they rolled up their sleeves and battled. They were clearly the better side over the 60 minutes and deserved their win. In truth, if the offside law had been applied they would probably have still won by a couple of goals but 5-3 would have been a better reflection. Woolston go clear at the top and Rope go home to regroup and lick their wounds. Steve Kennedy