Hellenic League

Tytherington Rocks 1 Hook Norton 3

TYTHERINGTON Rocks were hoping that it would be a case of third time lucky on Saturday, having lost away earlier in the season and in the Cup, when they played Hook Norton at the Hardwicke Field for the third time this season.

However it was the visitors who completed the treble, this time with a 3-1 victory.

In blustery conditions, Hook Norton declared their intent with repeated assaults on the Tytherington goal within the first 15mins. Young keeper Joe Purnell, making his debut for the Rocks, pulled off several point blank saves as the visitors peppered the home goal.

He also stood firm in a couple of one-on-one situations.

Hook Norton continued with their dominance of open play but a free kick parried, onto the goal-line by Purnell, was all the reward for their pressure.

It wasn’t until the 35th minute, when a bouncing ball in the penalty area was met by Dan Reeves to give Hook Norton a 1-0 lead, that the deadlock was broken.

Tytherington weathered further brisk attacks during which Sean Keets receiving a yellow card for his determined tackling, and the team rewarded when, on a rare foray in the Hook Norton penalty area, youngster Kwyn Gilbert drove the ball home confidently to level the score.

Rocks defensive endeavour denied the visitors any further score before the half time whistle despite a couple of close range efforts on the home goal.

The second half began with Rocks pressure producing a corner and free kick within the first eight mins.

However stray passes when in possession gave Hook Norton the opportunity to double their score.

Luc Thornton intercepted one such wayward ball and gave keeper Purnell in the home goal no chance with his finish for a 2-1 lead.

The pressure began to increase the Rocks defence with Hook Norton squandering a couple of goal opportunities, whilst rare sortie into the visitor’s penalty area saw the chance of a goal for Sam Jones foiled by a heavy final touch.

Only an accurate tackle in the Hook Norton defence prevented Marcel Smith from levelling the score.

Courtney Charles and Shamari Sengor both worked tirelessly as usual in a defence that was constantly busy as the game approached full time.

Hook Norton’s persistence and commitment to attack was rewarded in the final minutes when Joe Eyre drove an unstoppable shot past the Rocks keeper to give them victory by 3-1.

Rocks frequent loss of possession had undoubtedly contributed to their downfall.