Rothbury 2 Gosforth Bohemians 0
Northern Alliance Division One
“Two decisions have cost us there,” grumbled one Bohs player
to another as they regrouped by the sideline at the end.
The disgruntlement came from a penalty award that handed
Rothbury the chance to get themselves ahead, but the referee was very clear in
his view of the incident.
“It’s right in front of me – look where I’m standing,” said
the man in black as they mobbed around him after a bouncing ball struck the
hand of a defender in the 78th minute.
Justice was probably served as the Reds – playing in their
gold away kits – felt they could have had a penalty in the 35th minute
when Kyle Smith’s powerfully hit drive from a Greg Woodburn pull back appeared
to hit the arm of a defender before spinning wide. Smith was adamant that the
jumping Bohs player had blocked illegally, but was equally frustrated as his
smashed shot was destined to delightfully ripple the roof of the net. Such are
the fine margins in the game still free of VAR and TV replays. What the other
decision the Bohs were complaining about was unclear – possibly an offside flag
that they contended more in frustration than with real conviction.
Rothbury and Bohs are two of the oldest clubs in
Northumberland – being formed in 1876 and 1894 respectively – but are both
exponents of the modern game.
A tidy touch and pass interchange was very much on display
from both sides as they probed to look for openings. For while some nights are
all about the thrill of the action, others give joy from the spectacle itself.
And the standard in the Alliance First Division is very much about a neat
passing style, working hard to retain possession with the ball and to get back
into shape without it. A style that has its roots in both the Spanish tiki-taka,
and the Dutch ‘total football’ of the 1970s. It’s easy on the eyes, if not the
legs, as players constantly move to find that space or press to win possession
back.
What is possibly missing from the game today is the unpredictable
maverick, a Georgie Best, Rodney Marsh or Frank Worthington-type player who can
produce the unexpected and bring a wide grin to the face as they leave a
defender on their backside. But then I’m just an old head from the Acid House
generation with sand in my shoes.
Woodburn, patrolling the left of midfield, danced on a
couple of drag-backs to beat his man, but was consistently chopped in his calf.
So play came back inside, a touch and pass sideways or backwards.
The strikers, Chrissy Coe and Gareth McCann, found
themselves running out wide to present an option that dragged them away from
the danger area in front of goal where they could be most effective. McCann did
work himself some space and got away a low drive with his left foot that the
Bohs keeper smothered as they worked hard to create an opening in the first
period.
Bohs were as attractive in possession but came up against a
brick wall in skipper Tom Macpherson, Sam Proudlock and James Jackson, who was
fantastic in his tackles and distribution all evening, while Gavin Dick
provided an effective protection in front of the back line and kept the ball
moving.
The shots that Bohs did manage to get away were high or wide
as keeper Thomas Slack’s main work came from dead ball deliveries into the box,
which he dealt with calmly and effectively.
With free kicks and corners now providing the best
opportunities to put the pressure on, Rothbury’s Tony Brown is a highly influential
character on the pitch with his ability to whip it in with either foot.
But it was a drop of his shoulder and quick feet to beat his
man on the edge of the box that almost led to the opener five minutes after the
break, his well-hit left foot drive flashing inches over the bar.
James Loughborough put
in plenty of graft in the middle of the park and he then fired a volley over.
Soon after, Brown curled in a free kick that the diving Bohs keeper parried
with the rebound being deflected over.
Rothbury finally made the break though when Brown stepped up
to take the spot-kick after the hotly contested handball decision and coolly
sent the keeper that wrong way as he stroked it home with his instep.
The Reds almost added a second just two minutes later when
Proudlock bent in the cross of the night from the left to pick out McCann at
the back post, his downward volley being brilliantly beaten away by the
sprawling keeper.
Loughborough then drove inches wide before Rothbury’s first
win of the season was sealed with a few minutes to go. Subs Michael Old and
Danny Lowes combined, Lowes stumbling under a challenge but still managing to
roll a pass back to Old, who took a touch and dispatched his shot calmly into
the far corner from around 7 yards.
It was just rewards for the Coquetdaler’s patience and
determination to continue playing the short passes when many could have
resorted to hitting the panic button and lumping it over the top.
“That’s the first win on the board anyway,” smiled
tracksuited manager Dan Herron to a fan who praised the performance as he was
walking back towards the dressing room door with his clipboard in hand.
5 points from the opening 3 games and an unbeaten start to
the new season at the higher level are certainly satisfying; patience and discipline
are the keywords that will be bandied about Armstrong Park this term.
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