With an average age of under 20, Real Rosehill marched to a semi final spot in the SSFL Junior Cup with a senational 3 - 1 win away.
The Rusper Rovers players were very physical from the off and tried very hard to intimidate our players. They were a lot taller, bigger and heavier than the Rosehill team, a bit akin to Western Samoa rugby players lining up against Brighton Blues.
Ryan was an early casualty and had to be substituted after 20 minutes after he was kicked about by the Rusper players. Trying hard to intimidate him but for team safety was subsituted.
The Rusper no. 3 ran the game in the first half and was in every move. Rosehill went 1 down again with another own goal following a defensive error. Chances went begging at both ends and Adam made some excellent saves to keep it at 1 nil.
On 40 minutes Lewis crossed the ball into the box where James Sharp took a one touch and volleyed it high in the top left hand corner of the net. Into the break at 1-1 with much to play for in the second half.
A rousing half time talk and a few tactical changes Rosehill went out for the second half full of confidence. As always we knew that we would have the strength and fitness in the last 20 minutes so would eventually come good.
The team started to play with confidence and was knocking the ball about as if they were a team of seasoned county professionals. The work rate of all the players was immense and although Rusper had chances Adam made a couple of blinding saves to keep the score at 1 each.
James Sharp learnt his lesson when clean through he stopped play when he heard that he was offside for ONCE the Rusper linesman kept his flag down.
On 75 minutes Stonham received a clinical pass from Lewis and beat 4 players before rounding the keeper to put the ball in the corner of the next - a class goal.
84 minutes and the game was Rosehill's when Whitty went through the box and was brought down and kept his head to score from the spot. 2 minutes later James Sharp did the same and was brought down but failed to convert the penalty hitting the bar from 12 yards.
This was by far Rosehill's best ever performance and could have had 7 or 8 following a couple of missed chances and also for the Rusper linesman putting his arm up more times than some blond bimbo advertising a roll on underarm deoderant.
The best Rusper player was marked out of the game in a one to one marking tactical masterclass.
The Real Rosehill defence was solid, the midfield tackled hard and was fluid and the attack had pace, drive and dertermination.
The game did get nasty at times and came to a head when a Rusper player took a couple of swings at Lewis on left and got sent off for his efforts.
It was by far the best Real Rosehill performance with every player a credit to the team and all gave 100%. Captained by James D, the Rosehill team had some classy performances notably all of them.
Rosehill go into 2009 top of the league and through to the Junior Cup Semi finals. PURE CLASS.
WELL DONE LADS, As I would say quality, hardcore savage, immense and was a mad one!
