Rampant Rosehill Forward Punishes Luckless Visitors
The Kent Football League produced another gripping encounter this weekend as the Rosehill Ramblers secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Ashdown Forest at the Rosehill Community Stadium.
Rosehill striker Liam Barkley was the standout performer, bagging a well-taken brace to cap off an emphatic performance from the home side. Barkley’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference, as Rosehill asserted their dominance from the opening whistle.
“Liam was absolutely outstanding today,” beamed Rosehill manager Jack Harrington. “He’s been working hard in training and it’s great to see that translate onto the pitch. His goals were vital in securing the three points.”
The visitors Ashdown Forest will feel hard done by, having created a number of clear-cut chances throughout the match. However, a combination of poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Rosehill custodian David Seymour ensured the points stayed in Kent.
“We had our opportunities, no doubt about it,” lamented Ashdown boss Emma Watkins. “But you have to take your chances at this level, and Rosehill punished us for not doing so. Credit to them, they were the better team on the day.”
Fast Start Sets Tone for Rampant Rosehill
The Rosehill Ramblers wasted little time in asserting their dominance, taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes. A perfectly weighted through ball from midfielder Joe Chambers sent Barkley racing clear, and the in-form striker made no mistake, slotting the ball past the onrushing Ashdown goalkeeper.
Buoyed by the early goal, Rosehill continued to apply pressure, forcing the visitors to sit deep and soak up wave after wave of attacks. The home side’s passing was crisp and incisive, with wingers Callum Reid and Ethan Moss causing constant problems down the flanks.
It was Reid who provided the assist for Rosehill’s second goal just before the half-hour mark. The wide man burst down the right-hand side before cutting the ball back for Barkley, who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner with a first-time finish.
“The early goal really set the tone,” explained Harrington. “We wanted to come out of the blocks quickly and put Ashdown on the back foot, and the lads executed that gameplan brilliantly.”
Resolute Rosehill Withstand Ashdown Onslaught
The second half saw Ashdown Forest push hard for a way back into the match, with Watkins making a couple of tactical changes to try and swing the momentum.
Substitute Henry Greenwood immediately made an impact, firing home a well-struck effort from the edge of the box to halve the deficit. The goal sparked the away side into life, and they began to dominate possession and create chances.
However, the Rosehill defense, marshaled superbly by captain Tom Ellison, stood firm in the face of the Ashdown onslaught. Goalkeeper Seymour was also on hand to make a couple of crucial saves, ensuring the home side’s lead remained intact.
“We knew Ashdown would come at us in the second half, so the focus was on being disciplined and compact,” explained Ellison. “The lads put in a real shift to defend our lead, and that solid foundation allowed us to hit them on the counter-attack.”
Indeed, Rosehill could have extended their lead late on, with Barkley going close to completing his hat-trick and substitute Ryan Fowler forcing a smart save from the Ashdown keeper.
Harrington Hails “Complete Team Performance”
Despite the late pressure from the visitors, Rosehill comfortably held on to secure a crucial three points in their quest for Kent Football League glory.
“That was a complete team performance from us today,” beamed Harrington. “We were dominant from start to finish, and the lads followed the gameplan to perfection. Liam’s goals were the icing on the cake, but the entire squad deserves immense credit.”
The win sees Rosehill move up to third in the league table, just two points off the summit. Ashdown Forest, meanwhile, remain in mid-table, ruing their missed opportunities.
“We’ll dust ourselves off and go again next week,” vowed Watkins. “The Kent Football League is so competitive, and you have to be clinical in both boxes to succeed. We’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger.”
With the Rosehill Ramblers continuing their impressive form and the chasing pack hot on their heels, the Kent Football League title race is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.
