Tom Macpherson hits winner in season opener

Rothbury 2 Springhill 1
Sportsworld North Northumberland League

Tom Macpherson's cool finish ensured Rothbury kicked off the new campaign with three points.

The talented Alnwick Town defender was pulling the strings in midfield for his hometown club and had seen an earlier penalty saved by Springhill keeper Joseph Riach as Rothbury created - and squandered - a number of chances.

But player/manager Dan Herron said he’d be more worried if his side weren’t making those opportunities, and called for more of the same when they host North Sunderland on Saturday.

“I thought that we played well, knocked the ball around nicely at the back and didn’t just look to lump it,” said Herron.

“In spells we played some of the best football seen here in a couple of years, and to have a full squad of over 16 players for the first time in a long time was also good to see.”

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Young hit-man Greg Woodburn was expertly played in by Kyle Smith with a ball over the top to put the Reds ahead shortly before the break. Woodburn showed great composure to guide the bouncing ball over the advancing Riach and into the roof of the net.

Soon after, the striker was sent tumbling in the box but Riach flung himself full stretch to parry out Macpherson's resultant spot-kick.

And a loose defensive header at the other end handed Springhill’s Michael Brennan the opportunity to drill in a low leveller past the wrong-footed Paul Appleby.

Herron was particularly impressed with the performances of Macpherson, Woodburn and Smith, who played through the pain after carrying a knock, with Macpherson and Smith both going close with a towering header from a corner and a close-range stretching volley over.

Macpherson hit what proved to be the winner five minutes after the re-start, lifting a controlled chip over the exposed keeper from the edge of the box.

Smith again went close to extending the advantage with a powerful volley that was brilliantly blocked by ex-Lowick man Riach, and with ten minutes left a handball presented Rothbury with another golden opportunity.

New signing Alex Phillips, who showed some nice touches down the left, stepped up and blasted the penalty but Riach made another smart stop to deny him.

“When you can afford to miss two penalties and still win the game, you're doing alright,” admitted Herron afterwards.

Rothbury have been handed a trip to Newcastle Dynamo Fenham in the first round of the Northumberland FA Stelrad Minor Cup on the 9th September.

“We'll put on a bus and make it day of it,” said the player/manager.

“We have played against Dynamo a number of years ago, so have an idea of what to expect, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”

Match sponsor: Rothbury Bakery.