Published: Friday, 15th September, 2006 12:25
'Neath grab point in thriller
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Rosneath .. 3
Rhu .. 3
THERE were thrills, spills and red cards as 10-man Rosneath came from two goals down to earn a point in this six goal thriller at Howie Park last Wednesday.
As is always the case in a derby match, the game was played at a frantic pace, but there was little football as both teams battled for possession.
The home side made the early running, but the visitors’ defence restricted them to long range efforts.
The first chance fell to the hosts, when McAlpine's cross was met by Sayer, who perhaps had more time than he realised as he headed wide from 12 yards.
Then, a mazy run by Beaton saw him beat several men down the left hand side of the park and his low cross fell to Milne, but he misplaced his shot and saw it drift wide.
Against the run of play Rhu took the lead. A long kick out was missed by Gray and the Rhu centre forward burst onto it and fired into the roof of the net past Russell, who found his first touch was to pick the ball out of the net.
After taking the lead Rhu almost doubled it but Russell was quick off his line to block a shot with his feet.
With half-time approaching Rosneath equalised with a special strike.
A through ball was not dealt with properly by the away defence and from 30 yards McAlpine struck the ball on the half volley, leaving the keeper helpless as it soared into the top left hand corner of the net — a definite candidate for goal of the season.
There was more drama to come in the second half, as Rhu regained the lead almost immediately after the restart, with their forward outpacing the Rosneath defence and slotting past the home keeper.
This soon became a two goal lead, when hesitation in the Rosneath defence let the forward nip in to tuck home Rhu’s third.
Rosneath started to up the pace and forced a series of corners. From one of these a fracas in the box between Gray and his marker led to both being ordered from the field of play.
With both sides down to 10 men it was the home side who coped better and organised faster and they began to look the dominant side.
Rhu’s two goal lead was soon cut to one. Etheridge whipped in a free kick which Stokes won well in the air before nodding to Hackett, who's initial shot was parried onto the post.
As the keeper tried to gather at the second attempt it was Hackett who reacted quickest to slide the ball into the goal.
Etheridge was next to threaten when he jinked past two men before unleashing a 35 yard shot which only just went over the bar.
As the home team pushed Rhu caught them on the break but with the forward one on one with Russell, it was the home keeper who dived brilliantly and bravely at his feet to keep Rosneath in the game.
With minutes left Rosneath got the equaliser they craved.
Milne tried his luck from 20 yards but his shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Hackett, who took a touch before drilling the ball low into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
Rosneath will feel slightly aggrieved not to have picked up all three points with the amount of chances created and will have to work harder if they want to progress this season.
Rosneath: Russell, Hackett, Gray, Yuille, A McVey, McAlpine, Sayer, Milne, Etheridge, Beaton, Stokes. Subs: Clifford, S McVey, Docherty, Miller, Tolhurst.
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