Woolston Rovers' four-game winning run ends with defeat to Stanningley

WOOLSTON Rovers should have been further ahead when the tide started to turn in their defeat to Stanningley on Saturday, head coach John Fieldhouse says.

The loss, ending a run of four league wins in a row, deals a serious blow to Rovers’ hopes of promotion from National Conference League Division Three.

Lewis Hoarty, Connor Muir and debutant Luke Walker crossed for the Green and Golds, but the second-placed visitors had too much for the hosts at Monks Sports Club.

“We controlled the game for virtually the whole first half and built up a 12-0 lead. It should have been at least double that but for the final ball going to ground as the line was begging,” Fieldhouse said.

“Stanningley managed to score just before the break, which was a blow to us after dominating for so long.

“This gave them the impetus to come out strong in the second half and they started controlling the ruck area and took advantage of some poor play from us to take control.

“We also suffered serious injuries to two key players in the first half that restricted our options in the second half.

“These things happen and we need to dust ourselves down and get back to winning ways next time out.”

Rovers opened the scoring when quick hands created space for Theo Holt to put Hoarty through a gap to score on the right, with Glyn Roberts adding the extras.

Muir then pounced after Stanningley spilled the ball in their own in-goal area, with Roberts’ goal doubling the hosts’ lead.

However, Stanningley scored either side of half time through Daniel Barcoe and Jack Sykes to level the game before a converted effort from Ben Ward and a Sykes penalty gave the Yorkshiremen a two-score lead.

Rovers hit back immediately when Troy Brophy slipped a nice pass for Walker to mark his debut in style, with Roberts’ extras cutting the gap to just two points.

Sadly, though, Sykes’ second try and an interception effort from Liam Copland sealed the win for Stanningley, with Niall Murphy adding a last-minute drop goal to add insult to injury for Rovers.

Woolston are now not in action again until September 16, when they welcome Gateshead Storm to Monks Sports Club.

Woolston: Glyn Roberts; Justin Becker, Lewis Hoarty, Troy Brophy, Luke Walker; Theo Holt, Connor Muir; Jack Sherratt, Ryan Brown, Matt Clarke, Dan Fearnley, Sean Conway, Harry Files. Subs: Aaron Barber, Wil Maudsley, Cameron Davies, Chris Mellor.