Added Dec 5th 2007 -

Stourport Swifts 0 - 1 Rothwell Town

Rothwell Town won this important bottom-of-the-table clash in BGB Southern League Division One Midlands far more easily than the scoreline suggests. But the one-goal victory was still heart-lifting for all concerned. However, it did cause a lot of bitten nails in the last 10 minutes.

The game started at 100mph and the Bones made the running with Faizal Koriya firing just wide after only four minutes and then chipping over after 12. However, they were not to be denied and took the lead through Steve Purton's side-foot finish on 14 minutes after good play between Michael Boyle-Chong and Simon Underwood.

Rothwell went close again from a corner on 21 minutes but thereafter the game became scrappy up to half-time.

Stourport started the second half well and forced two corners - the second of which saw Craig Marshall fire just wide. The Bones were soon back on top though, and in the 55th minute the home keeper Chris Jay pulled off a fine double save to deny first Koriya and then Purton.

With 20 minutes to go, Jon Stead had the chance to seal it when he broke clear but his chip came back off the bar with Jay beaten. Home midfielder Peter Wood almost made him pay for the miss two minutes later. But he was denied by Tom Smith's fingertip save.

In the final 10 minutes both sides had chances to score. Rothwell found the home woodwork in unbeatable form as they struck the frame of the goal three times.

It didn't matter in the end, however, and the final whistle brought a huge cheer from the Bones contingent.

Stourport: Jay, A Smith, Robinson, Frost, Wood, A Blake, Colwell, Webb (sub Broadhurst, 60 mins), Marshall (sub Lavery, 60 mins), Upton, Andrews. Subs not used: J Blake, Harris, Stamps.

Rothwell: Smith, Bridgeford, Tolton, Rice, Greasley, Flannigan, Stead, Boyle-Chong, Underwood (sub Boath, 65 mins), Koriya, Purton (sub McInally, 69 mins). Subs not used: Ulker, Kostas.

Referee: Mr C Rushton

Goal: Purton (14 mins, 0-1)

Bookings: Koriya (time-wasting)

Attendance: 73

Chairman's man of the match: Paul Rice (superb all-round display)

Match rating: 7