Tuesday 8th March 2022, NWCFL First Division South

West 5 (Matthews 5, 43, Elliott pen 14, Eme 45)
Rocester 1 (Hunter 81)
Att: 385

West blew away Rocester to move back to the top of the First Division South.

Chris Rowley's side responded perfectly to Saturday's defeat at Wythenshawe Amateurs, racing into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes and adding two more before the break.

The Romans claimed a consolation with nine minutes remaining, but Rhain Davis' goal in the game's final act put the gloss on the result which means West are in the league's box seat with five games remaining.

Billy Matthews was in the right place in the right time after five minutes, lurking at the far post after James Hooper's shot had been deflected into his path.

West took a vice-like grip on proceedings nine minutes later, as Ben Elliott rolled the ball home from the spot after a Romans defender had handled a Davis delivery.

The relegation-haunted visitors stemmed the tide for the next half-hour, but their defences gave way in the closing moments of the half - Matthews tucking away his second after Hooper and Eme combined, before returning the favour for Eme to score from close range.

The home side had chances to increase their lead after the interval, but the next goal didn't come until the 81st minute and arrived after a rare Rocester foray forward - Ky-mani Hunter breaking into the box and firing across Andrew Jones.

But Davis restored the four-goal margin in the second minute of stoppage time, as his drive from 30 yards caught Romans keeper Ben Moses unawares and crept over the line.

West return to Brookburn Road on Saturday to face another side at the wrong end of the table in St Martins, knowing 11 more points will secure promotion and the First Division South title.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Westall, Gavin (Taylor 61), Dibble, Hancock (Delaney 65), Matthews, Davis, Elliott, Hooper (Swift 72), Eme. Not used: C. Jones, Ryan.

Eckersley's Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Billy Matthews.

Chris Rowley reaction