Rolls run riot against hapless Hapton.

Rolls' decision to move their fixture on Saturday to Nelson & Colne college proved to be a wise one when they put in one of their performances of the season, and in truth, the score line could, and may be should have been higher but for the visitors goalkeeper.

The Blues started the game immediately on the front foot and whilst Hapton looked to press high up the pitch, the hosts were brave in possession and content to play out from the back to break through the lines. Within minutes Rolls' positive start was rewarded, when a George Lewin was felled in the box and the resulting penalty was expertly despatched by Scott McArdle.

Hapton stuck to their pressing game plan but the outcome was the same a short time later. Rolls again played out from the back, with the ball eventually being worked wide to Luke Parkinson, who released Jacob Holgate with an excellent through ball, who in turn out-sprinted the visitors defence before calmly rounding the goalkeeper and rolling the ball into the empty net to double the hosts advantage.

It wasn’t long before Rolls had a third, when Holgate picked up a loose ball before smashing a fierce strike beyond the Hapton keeper who could only watch the ball sail into the far corner. Rolls 3-0 to the good and only 17 minutes played.

Rolls continued to press forward in ruthless fashion and shortly before half-time, it was the skipper's turn to get on the scoresheet, when a blocked Liam Garbutt shot was turned home by Luke Cockcroft who was first to react to the rebound to give the "home" side a commanding half-time 4-0 lead.
Hapton were limited to very few chances in the first period and their only real threat came from a 30-yard strike that left Bendy Cocker stranded and clipped the top of the bar before bouncing to safety.

At half-time, the management side encouraged Rolls to be ruthless in the second period and keep their foot on the gas, and that they did!

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first and Rolls didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead.

The fifth goal was a near carbon copy of the fourth Rolls goal when a blocked shot fell to Benjamin Whitaker, who was quickest to react to slot past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Rolls were growing in confidence with every passing minute and every member of the squad looked to be enjoying their football.

The sixth goal of the afternoon arrived on the hour mark when the impressive Holgate was brought down on the edge of the box, and dead-ball specialist McArdle subsequently whipped the resulting free-kick beyond the Hapton keeper.

Hapton looked a beaten side at this point and goals were coming thick and fast for the hosts. With 25 minutes to play Rolls added a seventh when the excellent Lewin glided past 2-players, giving Usain Bolt a run for his money and racing past the Hapton defenders before fizzing a ball across goal that was glanced home by Luke Parkinson to get in on the act.

Rolls made several subs in the second half with both Mohammed Butt and Callum Dickinson being rewarded for a string of fine performances with the reserves.

With 81 minutes played, Holgate secured the hat-trick that his performance deserved when he again raced clear before making no mistake with a powerful strike. 8-0.

Liam Garbutt aka Charlie Chips was doing his utmost to get on the scoresheet having been denied by various last ditch challenges all afternoon. However, with the clock ticking, Garbutt finally got his goal. Dickinson squared the ball to Garbutt who superbly lifted the ball over the keeper on the half-volley into the corner for Rolls' ninth of the afternoon.

Despite an excellent afternoon, there was a twinge of disappointment when with minutes remaining the backline switched off, allowing Hapton to get themselves a consolation goal and the self-proclaimed kangaroo, Benji Cocker, was left without a clean sheet.

This was an excellent display by Rolls which moves them into second position going into the Christmas break. With a Craven Cup semi-final, a title challenge and the Presidents Cup all to look forward to in the New Year, there is a lot to look forward to and it promises to be an exciting 2022 with this team seemingly improving week on week.

Rolls are next in action on the 8th January when they start back with a huge game away at Mill Hill St Peters who sit third in the table.

Goals
J. Holgate x3
S. McArdle x2
L. Parkinson x1
L. Cockcroft x1
B. Whittaker x1
L. Garbutt x1

MOM - J. Holgate

Rolls FC

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