The team who represented the club in the Herefordshire FA Saturday Division 2 league are now under the new management team of Dan Morris and Carl Roberts and have started pre season positively. With over 24 turning up regularly for training on Wednesdays at Ross Sports Centre, there is a good squad of enthusiastic players looking to take the men’s section forward in the Herefordshire League.

Pre season to date saw a defeat to a very good Lydbrook side followed by a convincing win for Ross over Elwood.

Last Saturday saw the team play Lads Club 3rd’s at Widemarsh Common. This was no ordinary 3rd team though, with Lads Club boasting ex Westfields, Pegasus, Fownhope and Hereford players in their line-up. They are a new team themselves, some coming out of retirement and boosted by new players looking to have one final swansong in their football careers.

Ross’ youthful side was pitched up against a vastly experienced side but with both clubs having little game time under their belts as new teams.

Ross had to contend with some early Lads Club breaks to start with, the defence remained resolute and Adam Jewitt clearing off the line to stop an early lead for Lads Club. Where Ross had the edge was in speed of attack and finishing. With Ross’ very first chance, Florin Vasile read the pass from midfield well and slotted home to give the team a 1-0 lead. A second followed from Andrew Densley, who slotted coolly home a penalty which came after Florins pace tested the Lads Club defence again. The opposition were never out of it and pulled the score line back to a narrower 2-1. Further pressure followed before Ross scored their 3rd with a screamer from Danny Rodda from outside the box, making it 3-1 Ross.

The game was not over and Lads Club always looked dangerous, controlling more of the possession at the start of the second half and a second goal followed for them with a headed finish, making it 3-2. Again Ross rose to the challenge, soaked up the pressure and broke swiftly to make it 4-2, with Florin again scoring. His pace was causing their experienced defence real problems.

Lads Club continued to battle in hot conditions, Ross though coped with the pressure with the whole defence holding firm. Myles Tompkins harassed the Lads Club defence forcing them to play it across goal for Toby Alexander to seize the opportunity and slot the ball home to make it 5-3. The score remained as this. Ross took the win, but more so, the satisfaction that the win was against an excellent experienced side.

This week sees an away fixture to English Bicknor on Wednesday, ahead of two games on the weekend as the momentum builds as the season approaches.