The weekend lined up new and unknown opposition once again for the Ross Juniors men as they set to entertain Hereford side Rose and Crown. The enemy arrived and with a professional warm up promised to be a tidy outfit.

The first 20 minutes provided a very even and exciting contest, Ross's back four rising to the challenge. The Eagle Inn man of the match Tom Burford was at the heart of good work from his defensive brothers Rob McAfee, Leighton Hall and Steve French.

Busy as ever Luke Gray latched onto a through ball, his pace giving him acres of time and space as he approached the keeper one on one. To the dismay of the home crowd and team mates alike the goal keeper narrowed the angle.

Gray, who is not renowned for his power, surprised everyone, including himself, when an outrageous short range chip beat the keeper and found the back of the net, advantage Juniors.

Ross were their own worst enemy as they allowed Rose and Crown a life line two minutes later, although the circumstance were controversial as they took advantage of school boy organisation in defending a free kick. Whilst goal keeper Tony Stevens was lining up his wall the free kick taker, with the ok from the ref, took the free kick quickly and a tame, low shot levelled the game.

Juniors dug in and, keen to put the error behind them, took the lead on 25 minutes. Luke Gray, glanced in a dangerous ball from Chris Davies.

The second half allowed Juniors to grab a stranglehold on the game, with the opposition losing their discipline and fighting amongst themselves. Juniors were not intimidated and Rob McAfee's ferocious challenge earned him a yellow card. Chris Davies might want to insure his left leg as he again showed its value with a delightful long range strike resulting in a goal, 3-1 Juniors.

With only minutes to go Sam Loftus, currently struggling with injury, made a cameo up front. To his delight he found some space and a well struck low range effort from outside the box found the bottom corner. His dodgy celebration summed up his, and everyone else's surprise. Game set and match Ross Juniors 4 Rose and Crown 1.