Teversal form fast becoming a serious concern

Saturday’s defeat means the Countrymen have taken just one point from a possible last nine and has certainly got the alarm bells ringing at Carnarvon Street.

This latest setback at Rossington saw Teversal got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal after only 40 seconds in unfortunate circumstances.

Jordan Schofield’s clearance ricocheted off Joe Hart into his path and, with the visitors appealing for handball, the Rossington striker smashed home past a stranded Ryan Brooks.

But the visitors did not sit back and took the game to Rossington. Only a minute after going behind, Sean Dickinson played Burrell in on goal with the striker drilling a low effort that Adam Stevens had to gather at the second attempt.

Dickinson was at the heart of another move when he played in to Dave Cockerill whose clever step-over allowed Lewis Weaver to break clear, but Stevens was alert and quick of his line to block the teenager’s effort.

Rossington, however, were not to be outdone and Lee Holmes was gifted an opportunity from 20 yards out, but Brooks was sharp to deny him.

Teversal were still chasing the leveller and, on 11 minutes, Ricky Starbuck delivered an excellent free-kick that found Luke Pickering to head across goal where Brad Cox’s effort was deflected onto a post.

The equaliser did arrive on 17 minutes when Weaver picked out Cockerill and though his initial cross blocked, he then picked out the unmarked Triston Burrell, who headed back across the keeper and into the net.

The joy was short-lived as Rossington were again gifted the lead three minutes later, but there was no controversy this time.

The visitors failed to clear their lines at least three times before Nathan Frazer picked up the ball and cut across the 18-yard box, evading tentative challenges before slotting past Brooks.

In the lead up to half-time, the way things are going for Teversal at the moment was really summed up when they were denied what they felt was a stonewall penalty.

Burrell burst in on goal and looked like he would finish, but Stuart Fielding lunged in with a challenge from behind taking out the Tevie striker, who somehow managed to get his effort, only to shoot wide of the mark.

Teversal expected the referee to give a penalty and show a straight red card to the Rossington defender, but instead a goal kick was given.

As the game moved into the second half, Teversal dominated the possession, but Rossington had the better of the goalcoring opportunities as both Paddy Mullen, with a great strike, and Jordan Hatton hitting the visitors’ crossbar.

For Teversal, the best of their opportunities saw substitute Danny Barke put over a great cross and 16-year-old debutant replacement Josh Radford head into the arms of Stevens.

The final whistle saw Rossington delighted and Teversal deflated as they are now looking more at what is happening below them more than above.

Teversal have two home games this week with Dronfield Town visiting on Tuesday (7.45pm) before entertaining Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday (3pm), both games in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One.

ROSSINGTON MAIN: Stevens, Frazer, Richardson, Holden, Fielding, Etherington, Mullen (Webb 81), Hatton, Hart (Wisdom 90), Holmes, Bennett (Rudd 72). Subs not used: Ninner, Thornton.

TEVERSAL: Brooks, Harcourt, Starbuck, Pickering (Radford 85), Schofield, Dickinson, Robinson (Barke 65), Cox, Burrell, Cockerill, Weaver (Williams 53). Subs not used: Walker.

REFEREE: Stuart Royston (South Yorkshire).

ATTENDANCE: 45.

TEVERSAL MAN OF THE MATCH: Sean Dickinson.