After two big wins in as many days the previous weekend, Ross were full of confidence, ahead of a tough top of the table clash against Wotton under Edge.

The game began at an electric pace with both teams eager to stamp their mark.

From the outset the home umpire put his cards on the table, calling the Ross captain for a stern word regarding some tough tackling. As the half wore on Ross began to take control with some short, sharp passing around the back four and through the midfield with Phillips and Cross adding some flair up front, keeping the Wotton defence on their toes. Chances were few and far between and frustration started to kick in. Wotton appeared confident on the ball on their home pitch with some quick stick skills and enthusiastic forward running, however Ward and Warner kept the Wotton attack quiet with some smart tackling.

On twenty minutes Ross made a couple of changes and Andrew Ridgeway was introduced to the game, bringing experience and guile. The substitutes made an immediate impact. Kristian Franklin picked up the ball on the left wing, cut inside to Jonny Cross who laid the ball into the path of Ridgeway. He picked his spot and fired the ball into the net from six yards out. 1-0 Ross.

Following the goal, complacency crept in to the Ross ranks and after some confusion at the back, Ross conceded a short corner. Franklin was quick off the line as usual to deflect the ball away from immediate danger and Keeper Raasch raced across to clear the ball away. The Wotton injector pipped Raasch to the ball and with a smart pass across the D the ball fell at the feet of the attacker who rolled the ball home. 1-1

Ross switched off and Wotton grabbed a second goal to take the lead. Williams swapped with Cross to mix things up at the end of the half and the pair combined well, forcing a smart save from the Wotton keeper. At the half time whistle the score remained 2-1.

The second half was very much attack v defence with Ross camped out in the opposition’s half. Despite their best efforts Ross could not beat the wall of 11 Wotton defenders.

With time ticking down Ross won themselves a short corner and before taking it the final whistle was blown. One last chance for Walton to test the keeper and earn Ross a deserved point. Unfortunately he was denied the opportunity following some controversial home umpiring, who awarded a foul for the Ross keeper removing his helmet. A questionable decision.

All in all, a frustrating day at the office for Ross and the players left the pitch disappointed but not deflated.