Hillsfield, home of Rocester FC based in Staffordshire and play their trade in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the North West Counties League Division One South. Nicknamed the “Romans” due to their current ground being an ancient Roman site. History eh?
Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week! Maybe Sunday, but no Saturday this week… Let’s cram the games in! Here we are at Wednesday and it’s bottom vs top, Rocester sitting rock bottom of the league face Stockport Town who are currently at the summit. Is this a goal count special? Or a huge upset? Let’s find out!
It’s a drive through the Peak District which I love… Just not at night time though! Through Monyash, past Ashbourne and into the ground with about 20 minutes to go before kick off. £6 to get in here! Decent! Vinny is here a long with 2 other friends tonight! I see a man wearing orange, it can only be Motohopper Tim!
A bit of atmosphere already? It looks like a group of boys in the main stand are creating a partizan parade here! Gu on lads! The teams are ready! Out they come! Bring on the goals boys!
Kick Off! Stockport having plenty of the ball so far. “Stockport’s a s***hole! That’s why you’ve come here!” They’re very loud I must say! A few tough challenges going in so far… I hope the Referee is taking note!
24 minutes in and Stockport have a corner, it’s played in… Thomas Morris gets there… Deflected out for another corner, in comes the next corner… Rocester clear. Me and Vinny have joined the noise in the stand. “Da da da! Come to join the party!” Yes we have!
3 minutes later and Rocester play a long ball forward, Tom Mellor is chasing the Stockport defender who will get there but he’s under pressure, he plays it back to the keeper… Oh no that’s a poor challenge there by Mellor who has gone straight through the keeper there… That’s a Red Card for me but is it for the Referee…? No! Yellow Card! He’s a lucky boy there for me and Vinny agrees!
Stockport are having most of the possession and are not rushing anything going forward whereas Rocester are looking a little dangerous on the break. The longer this stays at 0-0 the more that Rocester could nick one.
45th minute and Rocester play down the left, it’s crossed in, it comes to the byline on the right of the goal and it’s played across for Luke Cotton… He sets up Tom Mellor who gets a shot away… Deflected wide for a corner, in it comes… Referee blows for a free kick after a high foot from a Rocester man. At half time it remains stalemate… That’s how it looks like ending to be honest…
Second half, 50th minute and Rocester play a long ball looking for Tom Mellor who chases it and the keeper comes charging out… Mellor gets there first and diverts his header goal wards…… It’s off the line but did it cross…? No flag from the assistant! Tom Mellor challenges for the loose ball and he’s brought down there… Referee has given a free kick to Stockport… What?! That was a clear Penalty for me! I don’t know what the Referee has seen there.
On the hour now and Stockport have a corner, in it comes… It comes to Toby Green at point blank through the crowd of players… He’s put it over from about 4 yards… Big chance there!
68 minutes now and Stockport charge forward, they get into the box on the left, it’s played back for the cross, Will Shawcross dives for it… And he’s found the net! They’ve got it! It’s been coming you have to say! Rocester’s resilience has been broken… 0-1!
Can Rocester respond here? 79 minutes on the clock and Stockport play a long ball forward into the box… The Referee has pointed to the spot! Did the Stockport man get hacked down there? I’m not too sure personally but Stockport have the chance to double their lead. The Rocester boys are charging behind the goal to try and put off Dan McLaughlin who steps up… And he rolls it in! They do double their lead! 0-2!
83rd minute now and Stockport come forward again, it’s played to Toby Green who gets into the box and shoots… Just wide! Sam Perrin falls over him but Stockport don’t like that! Tempers are flaring….. The Referee has the Yellow Card out and 3 players are booked for the melee.
The game goes on… And Stockport do see it out to extend their lead at the top! Rocester gave it a good go and the fans show their appreciation as they walk off the field. The Rocester bench and officials are not happy with the Referee though…
FT: Rocester 0-2 Stockport Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – Those Rocester boys were absolutely fantastic! Bottom of the league and they still turn up in numbers and in very good spirits too they created a party atmosphere! Well done lads!
- The Ground: 8/10 – I really like this ground! The old fashioned stand with wooden seats is a gem! The view from the near end is like a mini Belper Town and it’s got plenty of room should the club want to progress. Great setup!
- Expense: 7/10 – £30 for fuel and £6 to get in, was it worth it? The game lacked any real quality really.
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Great to see Vinny, Tim and the 2 other hoppers here tonight! Great to see the Rocester fans in action and great to tick another ground off the long long list!
30/40