Rothbury 6
Wideopen 1
Northern
Football Alliance Division Two
MATCH
SPONSOR: JAMES HAMMOND, ELECTRICIAN.
Kyle Smith
and Michael Old both slammed in doubles as Rothbury ran riot and hit Wideopen
for six.
A
devastating nine minute spell in the first half saw the Reds race into a three
goal lead and although the visitors pulled one back before the break, Dan
Herron’s side didn’t take their foot off the gas and crashed in three more
before the final whistle.
Burly
striker Smith was chuffed to bits with the team display and beamed afterwards:
“I am loving the game again and I’m loving it even more
knowing that we’re inching towards clinching the league title.”
Smith revealed that there is a great
togetherness about the Rothbury squad and the mood in the camp is buoyant.
“The dressing room always has a great atmosphere, both before and
after the game, but after a comfortable win like that everyone’s laughing and
taking the mick out of each other for the mistakes we made- like Michael’s
(Old) first touch today where he ‘purposely’ shinned it,” he joked.
“We were in control of the game from start
to finish,” said Smith.
The Coquetdaler’s
bumper goal haul is virtually worth an extra point as they begin their run in on
the title boasting +38 in the goal difference column. And while it may be a
little premature for gaffer Herron to start digging out the calculator, the
permutations are hard to resist.
The Reds
have nine games to play and trail leaders Whitley Bay SC by three points but the
Tynemouth outfit have played three games more. Bay can gain a total of 73
points by winning all their remaining fixtures, while Rothbury can total a haul
of 79, making the mouthwatering meeting between the top two at Armstrong Park
on the 23rd March a huge six pointer. Cramlington United lost ground
in a defeat at Counden while Blyth could prove the dark horses to watch in the
chasing pack as they have 12 games remaining. But even if they win every one,
they can only hit the 73 point mark – though the Reds do still have to host the
only side to have beaten them in the League so far this season.
While Herron
won’t get carried away by looking any further ahead than Saturday’s
tricky-looking visit to Jesmond, he could at least delight in the six-shooting
performance that the Hillmen put on in front of a decent crowd.
“Our tempo and passing at times was really,
really pleasing although we only went through spells of doing it,” said Herron.
“The first 25 minutes we pressed really
high, popped the ball around with purpose and Wideopen couldn’t deal with it. But
then we switched off for their goal, just lack of concentration and intensity
really. So that’s one thing we need to manage - it would be pleasing to keep
that tempo all the time, because a lot of teams will struggle with us when
we’re on it like we were in the first half an hour.”
Old shot
Rothbury ahead in the 17th minute and Tony Brown added the second
just two minutes later. Smith rose to head in the third, but Wideopen pulled
one back through Scott Flynn in the 34th minute.
Gareth
McCann’s scoring streak continued two minutes after the break, displaying great
control and gliding past two defenders before calmly guiding it into the net.
“Another
bread and butter goal, just sheer class from the pig,” said Smith, who slotted
in his second in the 69th minute while Old completed the rout late
on.
“We were buzzing for Kyle getting a brace,
he’s had a difficult time recently so the whole team are over the moon to have
him back in the fold and playing like he can, he’s so physical and determined
to win, it gives us an extra dimension. Of course he picked up a trademark
yellow too!” said Herron, who again praised the squad and the work that the
side are putting in at both ends of the pitch.
“I’m over the moon with us defensively this
season. I think that’s one of our biggest strengths, and the main reason we’re
challenging for promotion to be honest. Tommy has the back line well
marshalled, and while it’s hardly ever the same 3/4 in, they always do a great
job for us. Big Gar had another good game for us, and his form is so important
to our success recently too, with another goal and three assists to add to his
already impressive tally for the season. A big 3 points, 9 games to go and we’re
just taking it game by game as best we can.”
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