Published: Thursday, 9th April, 2009 10:00am

Neath nick it in seven goal thriller

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Rosneath 4 Cardross 3

A good three points for Rosneath after a hard fought and highly entertaining local derby, which ended in a seven-goal thriller.

The game started even with some end to end flowing football but without either side making any clear cut chances.

Then Cardross got a stroke of luck as a mistake by the home keeper saw him disposed and the forward had an easy tap in.

Rosneath however quickly equalised. Beaton rose brilliantly and flicked on Hackett"s free-kick and Tolhurst reacted quickest to beat the offside trap to flick home past the away keeper.

All square at the interval and neither side could complain, but it was the home side that came out fighting.

They started to win their individual battles all over the park and was no surprise when they took the lead.

A speculative shot from Dillon somehow squirmed its way through the body of the Cardross keeper and into the net.

Rosneath had their tails up now and started to knock the ball around well and twice had golden opportunities to increase their lead but both Leishman and Dillon fired wide when it looked easier to score.

The peninsula side then did increase their lead with the goal of the night.

A free-kick was awarded about 20 yards out and Etheridge stepped up to unleash an unstoppable drive straight into the top left hand corner.

After this goal Neath seemed to fall asleep and Cardross immediately pulled a goal back a long ball into the box was easily headed home by the visiting player.

Losing a goal got Rosneath going again and shortly after they scored their fourth.

A delightful delivery from Forrester left the Cardross defence struggling to clear their lines and Dillon was able to get his head to the ball and flick past the keeper.

This eventually woke Cardross up from their second half slumber, and as they pushed men forward they pulled another goal back.

As Cardross flung everyone forward in the fading light and fading minutes Rosneath were able to hold firm to clinch victory in this pulsating derby.

Players man of the match: Paul McAlpine.

Rosneath: Livesey, Gallagher, Hackett, Paul McAlpine, Forrester, Tolhurst, Leishman, John McAlpine, Beaton, Dillon, Etheridge. Subs: Clifford, McNee, Flaxington, Carr.