Ross Junior Football Club’s oldest junior team finished the 2018/19 season mid table having played 18 games, winning and losing eight matches in the Herefordshire Junior Football League, as well as reaching the final of the Hereford Junior Cup.  

Coaches, Mark and Tony Fletcher, were pleased with the season as the vast majority of the Ross players were under sixteen, so have had a good experience, often playing lads a school year above themselves. This should reap benefits next season.

Ross’ last game was the long away trip to Ludlow where they faced a particularly robust team, eventually losing 6-2 having come back to equalise from being two-nil down.  The match was played on Ludlow’s 4G surface which took a bit of getting used to for the away side, Ludlow quickly taking advantage with two early goals.  But Ross came back into the game, taking more control of the midfield, Fin Fletcher coming more into the game.  Finn Mudie Jones scored a good low goal from outside the penalty area before receiving a knock to end his game, and his involvement in the team as Finn was one of the few too old to continue next season.  Ross will miss his skill and know-how in midfield.

Shortly after, Joe Thomas was taken out by the Ludlow ‘keeper resulting in a penalty, although questionably, not a red card; Adam Davies converted the spot kick confidently into the top right hand corner to level the score.

Hope was short lived as Ludlow scored twice again, largely through two uncharacteristic mistakes from the Ross back five.  Injuries had increased too as Ben Fletcher came off with a bang on the hip, so all the substitutes were on permanently before half time.

Ross competed more effectively in the second half, but could not convert possession into more goals.  Alfie Robinson had moved from right to left back and was the third casualty when unceremoniously taken out close to the touch line.

 Ross had to play the remaining twenty five minutes with ten men, and despite Jeremy Dijkens and Max Jennings working well down the right, they could not prevent Ludlow scoring two more.  This was Dijkens’ last game for Ross, after ten years sterling service at the club.  Another departee, TJ Swallow, floated corners into the box well, but unfortunately to no avail.  Olly Lloyd had worked well down the right wing, and came closest for Ross running on to a Davies through ball, grazing the wrong side of the post.

The coaching team will look back at some missed opportunities from this season, particularly being one minute from winning the cup in March before the equaliser and penalties, but the team can be proud of their achievements.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here