Saturday 1st September 2001 – F.A. Cup Preliminary Round

Rocester 2 Boldmere St. Michaels 1

Rocester included former Port Vale favourite Ray Walker in their line-up for the first time as they overcame the first F.A. Cup hurdle of the 2001-02 season, and earned themselves a welcome £1000 in sponsorship money at the same time.

There had been little to chose between the two sides in the first half although Boldmere twice came close to breaking the deadlock.

In the 12th minute Andy Richardson curled a left wing cross against the Rocester bar with keeper John Edensor stranded, and 15 minutes later Edensor dived to his left to make a brilliant save from Tim Hilton’s close range effort.

The Romans took the lead on 57 minutes when Russ DeMatteo stepped over Richard Owen’s pass on the edge of the area, allowing Andy Bourne to crack home a low drive from 15 yards.

Rocester seemed to be in control at this point but Boldmere levelled in the 70th minute under controversial circumstances. Edensor was felled by a late challenge on the edge of his area as he made a clearance, but the referee allowed play to continue and Tom Bayley lobbed the ball back into an empty net from 30 yards out.

Fortunately, after lengthy treatment Edensor was able to play on, and with just 8 minutes remaining Rocester sealed victory when Andy Bourne made a strong run down the right and whipped in a cross that was turned into his own net by Jon Hanson.

Rocester: Edensor; Myatt; Skelton; Walker; Fisher; Anthony; Bourne; Hook; DeMatteo; Ede; Owen. Subs not used: Grocott; Stark; Smith; Whiting; McCarron.

Boldmere: Knight; Owen; Evans (Colvin 83); Bayley; Gardner (Burke 62); Eivors; Hanson; Dwyer; Hilton (Busby 42); Harrison; Richardson. Subs not used: Harper; Henley