The 2017/2018 season for the Ross U15s continues to be anything but consistent, with alternate wins and losses.

Since the October half term break, they have played three times against two of the top sides in the Herefordshire Junior Football League. Ross were allocated to play away at Leominster on Sunday, November 5th. The two teams were closely matched last season, and still proved to be as the game was taken to extra time following a Giles Steele Ross equaliser early in the second half. Ross had created many chances throughout the game, but unfortunately the only other time they found the net was after Joe Thomas had been flagged offside. Leominster had scored early in the 20 minutes of time added on, going through to the second round when Ross could not reply.

Ross only had to wait a week to have a chance of revenge as Leominster were the visitors at Talbots Meadows in the league. Joe found his ‘Mojo’ again, scoring four goals in an excellent performance and guiding Ross to win 5-2.

Joe had opened the scoring early in the first half, before Ross had to weather an extended period of Leominster pressure before half time, finally conceding with an own goal to make the interval score 1-1. Ross had the wind behind them in the second half and the midfield trio of Fin Fletcher, Matt Morgan and Max Jennings tackled and battled well to provide Ross with more goal opportunities. Fin Fletcher finished one himself, before Joe went to his hat-trick, and beyond, to great cheers from the players and supporters alike.

Last Sunday, Ross made the journey to Ludlow with more confidence than previous years. They soon learnt that the home team had only ten players, so knew this was their best chance to win against Ludlow for the very first time. Despite going down to a back post header in the first half, Ross still showed endeavour, rewarded by a Max Jennings bullet goal and another emphatic strike by Joe Thomas.

However, it was felt Ross needed to improve in the second half as Ludlow had the bit between their teeth, and from goalkeeper to striker, they were putting pressure on the visitors. Ross just could not get a hold of the game in the second half at all, characterised by misplaced passes and conceding unnecessary free kicks. Ludlow drew level and then retook the lead with two breakaway goals, leaving Ross hanging their heads at full time.

Coaches Mark and Tony Fletcher were very disappointed, but look forward to three games before Christmas to turn fortunes round again.