Ross Juniors were unlucky to lose 3:2 on Saturday in a closely contested game against a team from Heath Hayes near Cannock Chase.

The visitors started strongly and put Ross under pressure from the whistle, with only a fine reflex save from goalie Brandon preventing them from taking the lead. It was Ross who scored first with a counter attack from deep in their own half and then a series of quick passes which found Owain on the edge of the box who blasted the ball into the top corner.

The Juniors were on top for the next fifteen minutes, with Aaron, Joel and Pirlo linking up well in midfield, but despite several near misses couldn’t translate their good work into goals. Soon enough the visitors equalised and the game became a midfield scrap. But a handball by one of Heath Hayes’ defenders gave Ross a way back and Kane powered in the resulting free kick giving the Juniors a 2:1 lead at half time.

Early in the second half Ross conceded a penalty and Heath Hayes drew level from the spot kick. Heath Hayes winning goal came in bizarre circumstances when a dog ran onto the pitch distracting the Ross goalie who was unsighted when the ball looped into the top corner. Canine chaos aside, the Juniors should be congratulated on a committed performance, especially impressive considering they had been hit by injuries and played without a substitute.

On Saturday they welcome visitors from Coton Green in Tamworth.