Ross Juniors U11s notched up their 20th win of the season, but had to work hard for the victory against an impressive Pegasus side.

It was a typical slow start from the home side and they allowed the visitors a little too much time and space in the midfield which lead to two early chances but Roo was in good form to keep them out. Ross slowly started to get into their stride and took the lead with their first meaningful attack.

Luca had been teasing the Pegasus defence down the right with some neat footwork and after beating his opponent he found Jake with a precise pass on the edge of the Pegasus penalty area. With a great take and turn, Jake played a perfect through-ball which Niall raced onto and finished clinically past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Ross almost doubled their lead minutes later when JT set up Harvey with a great diagonal pass but Harvey’s shot went just the wrong side of the post. David and Bill made some important interceptions as the home side protected their lead, and Theo was a rock at the heart of the defence.

As Pegasus pushed for an equaliser Roo pulled off another important save and then, late on in the half Roo raced to the edge of his area to put off a Pegasus attacker, but the ball fell nicely for the attacker and, as he shot towards goal, Josh got back to make a vital clearance.

The home side started the second half brightly and Luca had an early goal attempt that went narrowly wide and then he came close to getting on the end of Bill’s free kick. The match was well contested and played in a great spirit by both teams, with the defences allowing their opponents few goal opportunities.

Pegasus did create one great chance to equalise midway through the half but their attacker fired wide. Ross came close to doubling their lead when they were awarded an indirect free kick just inside the Pegasus area. Luca laid the ball off to Jake and his well-struck shot clipped the top of the crossbar. Pegasus continued to pass the ball around, like they had all game, and looked threatening but the Ross defence was excellent and kept them at bay.

The home side continued to look for a second goal and threatened down the left with Bill, Harvey and Ollie combining well. As the match entered the final five minutes Pegasus committed more players forward and created, what looked like, a dangerous opportunity but David made a great tackle and clearance. There was one final chance for the visitors in the last few minutes but Roo raced out to clear the ball and Ross held on to an excellent 1 – 0 win.

There were so many fine individual performances, with the Ross defence and Roo in goal all excelling, and it was great that Niall should score the important goal a few days after his birthday, but the Harley Finishings man of the match was awarded to Luca Morgan who worked tirelessly in midfield and started the move that eventually lead to the important Ross goal.