Added May 2nd 2006 -

Great Wakering 1 - 0 Rothwell Town

In a way this game was reflective of Rothwell Town's season as a whole. By the time Great Wakering scored the winning goal in the 87th minute the Bones should have been well out of sight of the Essex side given the number of chances they had.

Funnily enough, only one team have scored less goals than Rothwell. That is Ilford, and they are relegated. On the other hand, only two teams have conceded less goals - runners-up Corby Town and play-off contenders Enfield Town. This shows exactly where Rothwell are lacking and that if they had a bit more fire-power then they, too, could have been in the promotion frame.

The visitors started well enough, forcing two corners in seven minutes and seeing chances fall to Martin Flannigan and Justin Jenkins, while Great Wakering did not have their first shot on goal until the 21st minute. And it was not until the hour-mark that Tom Smith had to make any saves from the home forwards. Trying to find a goal, Bones boss Dave Williams made a double substitution on 68 minutes by introducing Andy Almond and Robert Ritchie-Smith - and it almost paid off.

Ritchie-Smith put in a fine cross but it was headed inches over the bar by Almond. Further opportunities fell to Almond, Ritchie-Smith, Flannigan and Steve Towers. But the back of the net always eluded them. Then with three minutes to fo the hosts snatched all three points thanks to top scorer Neil Richmond who slotted past a desperately diving Smith.

Rothwell look at the season positively, having finished higher than last season, but the lack of goals must be addressed if they are to progress.

Great Wakering: Harrison, Heffer, Wilson, Beale, O'Connell (sub Pitts 11), White, Butterworth, Cartledge, Richmond, Howard, Lake. Subs (not used): Ewers, Parmenter

Rothwell: Smith, Brown, Brooks, Rice, Capps, Flannigan, Tolton (sub Almond 68), Towers, Maddox (sub Ritchie-Smith 68), H, Jenkins (sub Haughton 80), Wright. Sub (not used): Cossey.

Goals: Richmond (87 mins)

Att: 95

Ref: Mr D Margetts