Football - Ross Town clinch League Championship
Holme Lacy 1 - Ross Town 3 Ross Town travelled to face 2nd place side Holme Lacy on Saturday, in their final league match of the season, knowing a win or a draw would be enough to take the league title. After an early scare Town came away with a deserved 3 – 1 victory to clinch the title and inflict the first league defeat of the season on the home side. Manager Dan Morris had a strong squad to pick from with only Mark Parnham missing. But, just before kick off, it became apparent that Striker Dewi Stuart was going to be late, so Shaun Aston kept his place at right back and Lee Walker was pushed into the unfamiliar role of striker. The slight change in formation seemed to affect Town, they allowed the home side plenty of possession and they were guilty of committing several fouls in dangerous positions. After only ten minutes a foul gave the home side a free kick. A good ball was delivered into the box and the home side's centre half had a free header at the back post to put Lacy 1 – 0 up. The home side continued to try and push forward but outstanding defending by Burford, Morgan, Timmins and Aston prevented them from scoring another. Town went close on several occasions through Halfpenny and Cook but they could not force the ball home and the score stayed at 1 -0 until half time. At this time Town would have lost the league and Holme Lacy would have been crowned champions. At half time Morris took off the unlucky Aston, who had defended admirably in the first half and brought on Stuart. This allowed Walker and Timmins to play wing backs with Burnham switching into the back three. Town started to put the home side under pressure. After only five minutes of the 2nd half, Denzley was fouled 25 yards out from goal, Captain Spud Jenkins stepped up and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the net past the despairing dive of the keeper to get Town back into the game. Town began to play some outstanding football. The midfield three, Jenkins, Denzley and Cook, dominated proceedings, allowing Walker and Timmins space to attack down the flanks. Halfpenny was making numerous dangerous runs up front, and substitute Stuart was causing the home side all sorts of problems. The newly formed back three of Burnham, Morgan and Burford, were dealing with attacks by the home side with ease. Town made chance after chance but could not find the crucial second goal. Then on 60 minutes, Timmins played the ball through to Cook who tried a delightful lob over the 'keeper only to see the ball come back off the cross bar. Fortunately, Stuart was following up and slid the ball into the net, to put Town 2 – 1 up. The home side started to push forward, knowing they needed two goals. The impressive Burnham came off with a hamstring injury, Bridges replaced him and filled in well. In the 90th minute, with almost the last kick of the game Halfpenny scored the goal that he deserved, his 16th of the season, to give Town a 3 – 1 win and clinch the title. Full credit must be given to all the players. At half time they thought the league title was lost, but they raised their game to produce some of their best football of the season to clinch the title. Over the whole season Town have only dropped 7 points in 18 league matches. Ross Town: Dan Morris, Shaun Aston (Dewi Stuart), Lee Walker, Ben Timmins, Greg Burford, Casey Morgan, Paul Burnham (Adam Bridges), Aidan Cook, Spud Jenkins, Andrew Denzley, Justin Halfpenny. The Man of the Match was Spud Jenkins for a captain's performance. When they were down at half time he dragged the whole side up and scored their all- important opening goal.