Ross Juniors senior Saturday side were back in action this weekend in Herefordshire Division one, having not had a game since December 1st due to poor weather. They entertained third place Shobdon at Ross Sports Centre, and after a tough hard fought game in poor conditions Ross came away with a deserved 5 – 3 victory.

Manager Dan Morris was missing several players through suspension and injury, but in addition Harry Hall was available for the first time this season and Jack Bray was promoted from the reserves into the first team, after some strong performances during the first part of the season for the reserves. The back line was the same it had been for the majority of the season with Shaun Aston, Wes Parker, Mike Harris and Carl Roberts, with a midfield three of Andrew Densley, Steve Kittner and Harry Hall, in attack Chris Davies was supported by Jack Bray and Aidan Cook.

After the heavy rain over recent weeks the pitch was always going to cut up and become heavy as the game progressed. Ross wanted a fast strong start, which they got when they went 2 – 0 up after 15 minutes, thanks to two goals in a minute. The first came after some great individual skill by Cook in the box, he finished well into the bottom corner, then straight from the re-start Cook became provider when he played in Davies who finished brilliantly from the edge of the box to put Ross two up. Ross seemed to be coasting at this stage until the referee changed the game by awarding the away side two penalties in the space of five minutes. The first was the correct decision when Kittner dived in to make a rash tackle, the resulting penalty was tucked away, however the second penalty was a poor decision. Parker won the ball but was adjudged to have fouled the player whilst in the air, Keeper Morris saved the penalty with his feet, but to everyone's amazement the referee allowed it to be retaken, this time the player made no mistake and levelled up the scoring at 2 – 2, with half an hour gone. Ross lost their way for the next five minutes and the away side started to get the better of the game, however Ross dug in and did not let their chins drop. Then, on the stoke of half time, Ross once again took the lead, an excellent Densley corner was met by the head of Hall to put Ross 3 – 2 up at half time.

For the rest of this story please see this week's Ross Gazette.