After all the recent floods and freezing weather, this was Ross Juniors’ first game for several weeks, and it showed. The boys were well beaten two-nil by a Birmingham team they defeated at the beginning of the season.

The Ross players looked rusty from the kick off and it wasn’t long before the home team took the lead, slicing through the sluggish Juniors defence with ease.

Ross found it difficult to put together an attack, but on the quarter hour Luke broke through and was unlucky not to get a penalty when he was brought down in the box.

Within minutes, the home team almost scored again, only denied by a fine goal line clearance by Ross defender Freddie. But seconds later they did find the net, this time with a lob from the edge of the box that deceived Ross goalie Josh. However, he soon made amends when Birmingham won a penalty and Josh saved the spot kick diving low to turn the ball around the post.

In the second half, Ross rediscovered some of the passing play that has made them so successful this season, but they rarely challenged the goal. The only clear chance came from Owain, whose shot was tipped onto the bar by the Birmingham keeper. A disappointing performance overall, but hopefully the boys will resume their winning ways when they welcome Stratford Town to Ross onSaturday morning.