Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One: Wotton Rovers 4 Ramblers 1 (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One: Wotton Rovers 4 Ramblers 1

4:29pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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WOTTON gave their survival hopes a major boost with an emphatic win over Ramblers.

The attacking partnership of Lance Dickens and Simon Jackson on the flanks soon had the better of the visiting full backs and were causing the defence problems, leading to the first goal.

Dickens made it by beating the defence and forcing the keeper to parry his shot that Jackson reacted to first and found the back of the net.

Wotton added a second before half-time. This time it was Jackson who beat the defence and delivered a low cross into Adam Harber’s path to finish past the keeper.

After the break Wotton added to their advantage. Another mazy run from Dickens on the left saw him run through the heart of the defence, fooling the keeper into going to ground and calmly putting the ball the other side.

On the hour, Wotton added their fourth when a massive clearance from Dan Blackwell in the home goal was flicked on in the middle by Simon Graham, clearing the back line, leaving Jackson a clear run at goal, finishing with a cool finish into the roof of the net.

Ramblers scored a late consolation goal with a well hit strike from the edge of the box that found the net via the bar and the back of Blackwell’s head.

It was a well deserved win for Wotton, who will need to take confidence into this weekend’s fixture at Stonehouse.

Stroud League Division Five Wotton Rovers 3rds 2 Alkerton Rangers 4

Alkerton Rangers ended Wotton’s winning streak.

Wotton played neat football, creating openings and going close on several occasions. If not for the woodwork, Clint Hopkins would have broken the deadlock with his measured lob of the keeper.

Against the run of play Alkerton found themselves with a shooting opportunity, and after an awkward bobbling shoot caught Wotton keeper Robbie West by surprise the away team were one up. This was closely followed by a second goal that was finished well from close range.

Wotton kept there heads and determination and continued to play their football. Front man Hopkins’ constant battling and hard work was finally rewarded, when he saw his edge of the penalty area strike sail in. The game was wide open with both teams pushing for all three points. Wotton continued to miss chances with both Kelvin Buckley and Hopkins going close. But it was Alkerton that hit on the break to make it 3-1. Alkerton extended their lead once more from the spot when a poorly timed tackle from centre half Mitch Scott resulted in a penalty.

Wotton finished the game strong and continued to fight to the death. Hopkins grabbed his second of the game but it was too little, too late.