This was a significant game for a number of reasons. Rocester completed their busy end-of-season schedule of 14 games in 32 days and manager Dave Langston took change for the last time. Visitors Ellesmere Rangers needed a win to extend their fight to avoid finishing bottom and did just with a very late winner. Trailing 2-0 after 11 minutes to goals from Joe Rogers and Edwin Ahenkorah, Ellesmere pulled a goal back before the interval through Tom Kelly. An own goal from Rocester’s Ryan Pirrie got the visitors back on level terms and Josh Brown scored a late winner to give Ellesmere what could turn out to be a priceless victory.
Rocester 2 Ellesmere Rangers 3
Baker Joiner Midland Alliance
At: Hillsfield
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1
Weather: mild and sunny
Rocester (amber and black stripes / black / black): 19. Richard Froggatt, 2. Lee Sepncer, 3. Carl Allen, 4. Wayne Johnson, 5. Chris McComisky, 6. Ryan Pirrie, 7. Dean Bromley, 8. Jack Langston (capt), 9. Chris Sterling, 10. Joe Rogers, 11. Edwin Asante-Ahenkorah. Subs: Paul McMahon (not used), 14. Dan McLeod (for Spencer, ht), 15. Adam Swain (for Bromley, ht), 16. Nick Ward (not used), 17. Liam Holt (for Pirrrie, 77). Manager: Dave Langston.
Ellesmere Rangers (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Ben Richards, 2. George Durrell, 3. Matty Fletcher, 4. Steve Towers, 5. James O’Reilly, 6. Dan Tolley, 7. Darren Beech, 8. Jamie Haynes, 9. Tom Kelly, 10. Kevin Renshaw, 11. Steve O’Reilly. Subs: 12. Adam Smith (for Beech, 81), 14. Louis Irvine (for Durrell, 51), 15. Josh Brown (for Renshaw, 71), 16. Davis Lee (not used). Manager: Delwyn Humphries.
Referee: Neil Faunch (Lichfield).
Assistants: Rebecca Scott-Mullen and Tom Ahearn.
Attendance: 77
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 48:43
Goals:
1-0 Joe Rogers (5)
2-0 Edwin Asante-Ahenkorah (11)
2-1 Tom Kelly (40)
2-2 Ryan Pirrie (54 og)
2-3 Josh Brown (84)
Cards: none
