Rothbury crash out of Bilclough Cup at Amble

Amble Saint Cuthbert’s 6 Rothbury 3 (After Extra Time)

Bilclough Cup Preliminary Round

Greg Woodburn struck twice as Rothbury gave Amble St. Cuthbert’s a cup scare and was adamant that the results will start to come for the Armstrong Park outfit.

The Reds’ 19-year-old attacking midfielder felt that Rothbury began strongly and their passing football created a few good opportunities, while praising the ‘amazing job’ that the defence did in keeping the game deadlocked.

“The Amble attack looked very dangerous in the first half,” he admitted. “In the second half we had chances that we just couldn’t seem to convert but it was positive that the chances were being created,” he continued.

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Joel Laviers capitalised on a goalkeeping howler to head the much-depleted Hillmen in front after a goalless first half, but joint League leaders St. Cuthbert’s levelled soon after as Connor Stroughton took advantage of some slack defending to smash into the top corner.

Woodburn’s delightful curling free kick went in off the underside of the bar to put Rothbury back in the driving seat, though dangerman Stroughton struck twice more to complete his hat-trick and turn the game on its head.

Woodburn reacted quickest after the St. Cuthbert’s keeper spilled a long-range effort and tucked away the equaliser from close range as Rothbury hit back.

“It’s always good to score, especially against tough opposition, but when the result goes the way it did, it sort of overshadows the feeling of them goals. The season got off to a good start and we have continually played good football throughout but results haven’t been going our way at the minute - but we’ll keep pressing the opposition and the results will come, it’s only a matter of when,” continued the talented youngster.

Player/boss Dan Herron had his head in his hands as he saw goal-bound headers cleared off the line on two separate occasions and goalkeeper Paul Appleby, playing in an outfield role, fired inches over as Rothbury looked to clinch the tie in normal time.

“The first half was a tight affair with Amble probably edging it in terms of chances created, but after the break we began passing the ball like we’ve shown in previous games, which started producing chances,” said Herron.

On-fire hit-man Stroughton notched his fourth of the afternoon in the second period of extra time and St. Cuthbert’s went on to add two more.

“We feel we should have had the game sewn up in the second half,” continued Herron. “After they went 4-3 up, we began to push for an equaliser and were subsequently caught on the break twice, which gave a score-line that didn’t really reflect the game – but we pick ourselves up and go again in the Minor Cup on Saturday, away to Dynamo Fenham.”