Ross-on-Wye 8 - Hereford 2

Since being promoted to Division 1, in the De Cymru and Marches League, the Ross men have had a few mixed results, but had a great win on Saturday at the first local derby between Hereford and Ross.

With some nerves on show, the Ross team met at Hereford Leisure Centre slightly dipleted this week with only one sub on the bench.

A change of formation was used for this match with a back three of Richard Jennison, Dave Skyrme and Luke Ward working hard to keep Hereford away from Laurance Raasch in the Ross goal.

Sam Warner stepped up into midfield for this match, to join Tom Walton, with Kristian Franklin and Euan Aitken on the wings. Matt Goldsmith was just behind the front two of Jonny Cross and Rory Calderwood, with Theo Phillips filling in where necessary.

Ross made a good start with Aitken attacking from the right wing, taking on the Hereford defence with a strong run in to the D. He was awarded a penalty flick with only a few minutes on the clock, Cross stepped up and scuffed the ball straight down the middle.

Unfortunately it wasn’t long before Hereford had two on the board. These came from a straight shot, which saw Raasch miss-time his kick for a nutmeg and also a tap in from the back post. But this seemed to wake the Ross lads up, in recent weeks they may have dropped their heads at this point, but not this time.

By half time the score was Hereford two Ross six, with goals from Goldsmith, who cleverly chipped the keeper from the top of the D, Jennison, who followed up on his penalty corner push out, Cross, with another penalty flick to the top of the net, and Calderwood, with a great team goal putting it under the advancing keeper and Walton, with a lovely placed penalty corner.

The half time talk centred on staying alert as they knew Hereford would come back hard.

But the Ross players were having none of it and two more goals were added during the second period.

Aitken from the back post which was expertly picked out by a Franklin pass, and Walton from a short corner beating a couple of defenders and shot home.

This was an excellent display from the Ross lads. This week sees them at home to another Herefordshire side as they entertain Leominster at Monmouth Boys School, 2pm start, support always welcome.