RUTHLESS ROSE

By the time Sam Rose headed home from a beautiful Ullyott cross he’d already had a couple of chances to secure his hat-trick. His far post header, on the stretch beyond the last defender and keeper, needed a quality contact as the ball was travelling at pace and away from goal.

At that stage, it became 3-0 Borough, and the points were going to the home side. In the latter stages of the second half Rose had another shot tipped on to the bar which Taylor followed up and bundled home past the keeper to make it 4-0.

After the 4th goal Bell rifled a shot wide from 8 yards, Rolfe narrowly missed with a long distance lob, Taylor broke through twice and forced good saves with identical early shots. Only a Parmiterian penalty, when Da Silva (accidentally) floored the oppo striker, gave any comfort to the visitors.

The last twenty minutes were all Borough and it could have been much more than the comfortable 4-1 win.
The game hadn’t started that way though. Borough has shuffled the player pack with a new look back line, and Taylor leading the front line. It took 20 mins or so to settle into the game and in that time Parms probed and dominated.

Baker had to be sharp out to intercept two through balls and the Weston / Charlie Rose combination was tested. Parms also probed down the flanks and got some joy forcing multiple corners and attacking throws. Parms had some big units and created two threatening situations from set pieces both resolutely defended: they needed to be.

Despite dominating the first 20 mins. ‘Borough struck first. A lovely ball from the deep-sitting Bell to Sam Rose who took the ball on the move going forward, one touch and a rocket into the top right corner from 25 yards for 1-0. A stunning finish.

Parms were unsettled. Within 10 minutes the lively Ullyott released Sam Rose into the right-hand side of the Parms box. He shaped to shoot across the keeper, ‘did him with his eyes’ and curled the ball into the near post. 2-0 and Borough 1sts were now totally on top.

Half time the instructions were more of the same and the entire squad delivered. Pat Murray had another influential game and has grown into this side: keeping it simple and retaining possession. Rolfe worked hard in both directions and had 3 great attempts on goal before his lob which so nearly made it. Nicholas and Da Silva ended by dominating their flanks.

Great to see Taff back in action off the bench and even better to see Pat Laker make his 1st team debut with a tigerish 15 mins.

A stunning display of finishing by Sam Rose, more importantly, every player and every part of the team delivered in a game which guaranteed Premier Division football next season.