Relentless Rolls end Prairie United’s unbeaten run.

On Saturday, Rolls threw the East Lancashire League Division 1 wide open with a superb display to end the visitors unbeaten start to the season. Coming of the back of an impressive display in the West Riding County Cup the previous week, Rolls were still without several key members of the squad but thrust themselves back into the title race with a resilient display.

Going into the game, Rolls knew this game was must win and they settled into the game much quicker than their opponents. That said, it was the visitors who created the first chance of the game however, an excellent save from Bendy Cocker kept the scores at bay.

On the whole Rolls had the lion’s share of possession however, they struggled to breakdown the stubborn opposition and the game remained fiercely contested in the opening 20 minutes.

Rolls, smarting from their opening day defeat away at the hosts grew into the game, and when Matthew Naylor thwarted a Prairie attack with a superb intervention, the second ball was picked up by Spencer Jordan who released the in-form Kieran Britton to race through on goal and lift the ball over the on rushing keeper to give the hosts a well deserved lead. 1-0 Rolls.

With 9-minutes to go to the break there was a flash point in the contest, when a poorly timed challenge by Harry Groves was met with a torrent abuse from the player on the receiving end of the tackle, despite being awarded a free-kick. The Prairie player, who instantly voiced his dislike at the challenge, over-stepped the mark in the eyes of the official and was ultimately sin-binned for his actions.

At this point in the contest, Rolls ramped up the pressure looking to go for kill with the extra man and find the goal that their first half performance warranted. With the clock ticking towards the interval, more terrific play from Spencer Jordan won a free-kick on the edge of the box, although Tom Daly would’ve been proud of the fall. Scott McArdle took responsibility of the resulting set-piece and demonstrated his class by curling the ball into the top left hand corner with a sumptuous free-kick.

Half time - Rolls 2 Prarie United 0

The management team reminded the players that nothing was won at half time but Rolls knew 45 minutes of hard work would get them right back into the title race.

With Prairie fighting to get themselves back into the contest, the start of the second half rarely had chance to flow and it turned into long 45 minutes for the Rolls management.

Despite defending resolutely, with 8 minutes to go Prairie set up a nervy finish, when a well-crafted free-kick allowed the visitors substitute to finish low beneath Cocker. At this stage in the contest it was game on and Prairie threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the visitors, including sending the keeper for a late corner however, the danger amounted to nothing. Shortly following the restart, the full-time whistle blew to give Rolls a deserved 3-points.

The Rolls display on the day was epitomised by Ben Whittaker, who made a sliding challenge before jumping back to his feet to throw his head in front of the second ball to block a shot on goal. A testament to every member of the playing squad who gave their all to finally put some pressure on the league leaders.

This week Rolls have another very important fixture when they travel to Settle in the Quarter Final of the Peter Marsden Craven Cup.

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