Added Sept 27th 2007 -

Late madness is just so costly for Rothwell

Rothwell Town 1 - 3 Leamington (Errea Cup)

FIVE minutes of madness late in the game cost Rothwell Town this Southern League errea Cup first-round tie.

The Bones were within 11 minutes of a notable win against a Leamington side lying third in Division One Midlands after Pete Sneddon had given them the lead in wonderful style. But two goals in a minute turned the game on its head and a lucky break then gave the Brakes their third with six minutes left.

But, despite the defeat, Bones boss Ian Jackson felt he got the good performance he had demanded in the wake of their abject league defeat by Cinderford Town last weekend.

"Leamington are a much better side than Cinderford and yet we matched them and in the second half we were the better side," he said.

"On another day we could have taken some of the chances we had before they scored," he said.

"Their goals have come from three mistakes by us really. It was five minutes of crazy football but I cannot think of anyone in my side who did not play well."

Leamington largely bossed the first half but found the home defence in resolute mood and keeper Tom Smith in top form.

He produced superb saves to deny Tom Fountain and then Russell Dunkley either side of half-time.

When he was beaten, by Craig Dutton's 34th-minute drive, the bar came to his rescue.

The Brakes continued to look the more likely scorers in an even second half but it was Rothwell who struck with a bolt from the blue.

From a 70th-minute clearance, Sneddon unleashed a stunning 25-yard volley that flew into the top corner for a goal that deserved to win any game.

Instead Leamington found a way back into it on 79 minutes when Smith again denied Dunkley. But substitute Ben Mackey followed up to score.

Sixty seconds later Dunkley beat Smith to head Leamington in front. Josh Blake then added a somewhat fortunate third after Avun Jephcott had scuffed a shot into his path.

The Bones are back into action this weekend when they travel to Berkhamsted Town after originally being scheduled to play Willenhall Town at Cecil Street.

Thanks to the Evening Telegraph.