YELLOW bibs were the order of the day as Rastrick arrived at Berry Brow for an Under 16 Division III encounter with Netherton, who were ordered to change by the referee due to a shirt colour clash.
With both sides in search of their first points of the season, predictions of a close game looked correct in the opening minutes and, with Rastrick struggling to get the ball under control, Netherton took full advantage and only a superb one-on-one save from keeper Cameron Stringer prevented the home side from taking the lead.
The Netherton rearguard of Oliver Stead, Sam Sykes, Kasam Aqhtar and Tom Greenhalgh seemed to be holding their ground but Rastrick’s Adam Squire was always a danger and when a cross from the right fell into his path, the speedy left winger lashed the ball into the back of the net to give Rastrick the edge.
The goal inspired Rastrick who went in search of a second goal but, again, the Netherton defence seemed to be holding out well until Robert Hopper, faced with a packed goalmouth, placed a superb chip over everyone’s heads into the top corner to double Rastrick’s lead just before the half time whistle.
The goal proved a turning point in the game as Netherton had probably had the better chances to score, yet now, with a two goal deficit, their confidence was visibly draining away.
A third goal from Harrison Robson five minutes after the re-start gave Rastrick a comfortable three goal cushion but their defence of Chris Keogh, Michael Dunne, Tom Redfearn and Richard Jones still needed to be on their guard as Kamran Javed and Tom Gledhill carved out several good chances for the home side.
Netherton probably had as many chances to score as Rastrick throughout the game but, unfortunately, many of the home side’s shots went straight into the arms of keeper Stringer.
A long throw 10 minutes later put the result beyond doubt when Lewis Mellor climbed above the Netherton defence to plant a flick header into the far top corner of the net to make it 4-0.
Netherton finally got the goal they deserved when a perfectly-weighted pass found Javed who finally got the better of the Rastrick keeper with a shot into the bottom left corner.
But it was too little, too late for Netherton and any hopes of a late revival disappeared when Mellor scored his second of the game to restore Rastrick’s four goal advantage five minutes from the final whistle.
The scoreline suggests a comprehensive victory for Rastrick, who fully deserved their win but a little more luck in front of goal might have given Netherton more confidence to get more from the game.
