Report

This competitive and at times fiesty local Midland Alliance derby was effectively settled by some clinical finishing from the home side in a twenty minute spell in the first half.  The Romans had the better of the early play with the speedy Mensah Kinch setting up a couple of good opportunities which Chris Sterling and Jack langston failed to convert.  Hayes went in front on 18 minutes with an excellent goal. Chris Geldart won the ball on the left hand side and produced a superb cross which Dave Waple volleyed home from 15 yards. 10 minutes later a good move through mid field saw Joe McNulty's through ball find debutant Ben Porter who cooly fired into the corner of the net.  Karl Wallis then made it three heading home another excellent cross from Geldart.  Rocester were never out of it but their good approach work was to often spoilt by poor balls into the danger areas .  They began the second half well gaining a series of corners but the Hayes rearguard held firm, with keeper Tom McNulty performing competently.  On the hour Rocesters efforts were rewarded when, with little sign of danger, a 20 yard effort from Jordan Nadat found the bottom corner and the visitors were back in it. A sustained period of attacking play saw Chris Owen and Sterling waste good chances whilst at the other end Richard Froggatt produced a superb save to deny Geldart the goal his efforts deserved.  Play began to get a bit heated as both sides battled hard but common sense prevailed with out the referee having to resort to any red cards and on the ballance of play the home side were worthy of the spoils.  On Tuesday Heath Hayes have a tricky Hunt Cup fixture at home to Midland Combination high fliers Continental Star (7 - 45)