Rothwell Town walked
the tightrope of relegation – but at 4.45pm
on Saturday they learnt that they had navigated
it with success.
This 3-1 win over Stourport Swifts, and Woodford's
draw at home to Soham Town Rangers, meant that
the Bones avoided the drop down into the United
Counties League.
The game started remarkably quietly but as soon
as it started to warm up, Rothwell took the initiative.
A David Glass free-kick was rolled home at the
far post by the alert Robbie Maddox to put the
Bones in front.
With Sam Maude and Michael Boyle-Chong a commanding
presence in midfield, Rothwell continued to press
and went further ahead after the break.
Visiting keeper Jamie Moore could only parry
a Fazel Koriya shot and the rebound was pounced
on by subsitute Shaun Goodall who powered the
ball home.
Just two minutes later, Goodall was the hero
again when he broke through the midfield, latching
onto a Koriya pass and giving Moore no chance
with his final shot.
Incredibly, Goodall had the ball in the net again
just three minutes later, but this was quickly
disallowed by referee Mr Mellor.
Just past the hour, Stourport pulled a goal back
through Beng'yela Ngwa
and everyone held their breath in the hope that
Rothwell would not succumb to another late fightback.
But Rothwell held on to their two-goal advantage,
and Moore saved the visitors further embarrassment
when he pushed a Glass free-kick onto the post
and out for a corner.
The final whistle sparked the odd tear and immense
relief amongst the Rothwell support, who can now
plan for next season assured of more Southern
League football.
ROTHWELL: Dorrill, Hackett, Glass, Maude, Wiltshire
(sub Goodall, h-t), White, F Koriya, Boyle-Chong,
Byrne (sub Locklin, 81 mins), Maddox, Marlow.
Subs not used: Linton, McIlwain, Underwood.
STOURPORT: Moore, Duggan, Robinson (sub Benbow,
60 mins), Dukes (sub Whittington, 60 mins), Joyce,
Jones, Ngwa, Etheridge (sub Garton, 60 mins),
Owen, Corns, Tompkins. Subs not used: Patterson.
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