Roach Under 7 Blacks made the short trip to Walshaw Park looking to build on last weeks victory over Pennine Juniors . Roach made a typically sluggish start to the game but were lucky that Walshaw didn’t capitalise on some hesitant Roach defending. Roach finally woke up and started to play some good football, and from this point didn’t really look back.
A good interception by Niall Morris broke down a Walshaw attack in the Roach half and his pin point through ball to Kieran McIlvenny saw Roach take a 1-0 lead with an excellent finish. Walshaw battled hard but were rarely able to get the ball out of their own half, Josh Brooks and Ethan Armstrong worked hard in the Roach midfield to win possession and supply McIlvenny. A succession of Roach corners whipped in by Brooks were all cleared until finally the pressure paid off and Morris poked the ball past the unlucky Walshaw keep to double the lead, 2-0. Roach continued to torment their hosts, good work from Morris and Logan Potts led to a chance for Brooks but he fired wide of the target. The return of Curtis Newsham further pinned Walshaw back in their own half and after combining well with Morris and Brooks was unlucky to see his shot blocked by a Walshaw defender.
In the Second half Roach never eased up on their opponents and took the game to them straight from the restart, McIlvenny running through on goal only to see his effort graze past the post. Max Murray was involved in the thick of the action, turning a Walshaw defender inside out before passing to Brooks who’s shot came back of the bottom of the post and was turned in by McIlvenny for his 9th of the season. 3-0 Roach. At this point Roach seemed to ease off the pressure a little, although tiredness must have been a factor given the workrate of all players and Walshaw came back into the game. A couple of corners in quick succession led to a chance for Walshaw but excellent defending from Potts prevented a shot on target. At the other end, good work between Murray and Sherry led to a chance for Armstrong who was unlucky to see his shot go over the bar. Roach now had a second wind and Newsham set off on another typically mazy run and after leaving 4 Walshaw players in his wake slotted the ball home to score his 11th of the season and make it 4-0 to Roach. Further chances came Roach’s way with Brooks, Newsham and McIlvenny all squandering good opportunities to further increase the lead.
Another solid team performance was capped with excellent displays all round, particularly Morris, Brooks and Newsham, but Kieran McIlvenny was named Man of the Match for an excellent display up front.
