Match Reports - April 2003

Grosvenor Park 0-2 Rushall Olympic (Midland Football Alliance)

Wednesday 30th April 2003

Rushall Olympic rounded off their season in style by clinching the Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up spot with a comprehensive victory at neighbours Grosvenor Park. The only surprise was that their winning margin was not far greater after hitting the woodwork on five separate occasions, having a goal disallowed and a strong penalty appeal turned down.

The visitors made their attacking intentions known straight from the kick-off and within five minutes of the start Scott Gennard's pace saw him go clear of the home defence, but as he was forced wide right by 'keeper Tony Rowe the custodian go too close to his target and appeared to blatantly haul him down in the penalty area, but the assistant referee incredibly claimed that the Rushall striker had taken a tumble.

As Olympic continued to make all the running the twelfth minute saw them induce a goalmouth scramble and the ball eventually struck the inside of the left hand upright before being fortuitously smothered by 'keeper Tony Rowe perilously close to the wrong side of the goal line. Despite strong appeals to the contrary by the visitors that the ball had ventured over the mark, the assistant referee was way behind play and his colleague could only wave play on.

With Rushall still holding the upper hand they once again went extremely close to opening their account when Steve McCartan's powerful thirty yard free kick was drilled in and the ball struck the left hand post before rebounding to relative safety. A minute later and the Pic's were again left cursing their luck in front of goal as Grosvenor Park's Linton Bailey ended up heading the ball against his own crossbar under intense pressure from the visitors front line as a veritable game of goalmouth pinball ensued.

As the half drew to a close there was no relent in Rushall's determination to seize the crucial opening goal and in the forty-third minute the woodwork once again saved Grosvenor Park as Aaron Skelding's twenty-five yard pile driver cannoned off the left hand upright and fell straight into the path of 'keeper Tony Rowe who gratefully held on to the rebound. Less than a minute later, as the visitors continued their pressurisation of the Grosvenor Park rearguard, Olympic's Rob Holdcroft could only scoop the ball wide of the goal from close range after finding himself well placed.

Just as Rushall had almost given up hope of going into the interval in the lead, the second minute of injury time saw the home side concede a free-kick out on the right flank that was swung dangerously into the far post where top scorer Lee Booth rose majestically above the surrounding defensive blanket to powerfully head home from eight yards to net his twenty-eight goal of the campaign.

Following a half-time roasting Grosvenor Park returned to the fray a far more determined outfit, however it was the visitors who almost doubled their advantage within seven minutes of the restart. Steve McCartan found himself in the home penalty area from where he cut a short ball back to Carl Palmer whose intelligent slide rule pass released Nick Campbell and the wide man whipped in a tempting ball across the face of goal from the by-line that was fractionally missed by the in-rushing Scott Gennard.

The visitor's bad luck in the goal scoring stakes continued unabated on sixty-three minutes when Steve McCartan's twenty-five yard snap shot cannoned off the right hand post and the rebound fell to Scott Gennard who ghosted in behind Grosvenor Park's defence to stab the ball home into an empty net from eight yards. Unbelievably, the assistant referee raised his flag for an alleged off-side decision, despite Olympic's striker clearly having advanced forward past the last man of the home rearguard to dispatch his effort.

Rushall's inability to put the match firmly beyond their hosts appeared to give Grosvenor Park renewed optimism and with eleven minutes remaining they almost drew level. Substitute Marcel Simpson was allowed to run through Olympic's defence unhindered and he threaded the ball through to Justin Rowe whose vicious eighteen yard goal bound drive was spectacularly tipped on to the crossbar for a corner by 'keeper Ryan Price who had pulled off a top class save to prevent the ball from whistling into the top left hand corner of the net.

However, Olympic quickly regained the initiative and with only a couple of minutes remaining they deservedly claimed the second deciding goal to ensure that the Runners-Up shield returned to Dales Lane for the second time in three seasons. The goal owed much to the strength and tenacity of Carl Palmer who charged through the middle and despite being intercepted he won the ball back to fire in an initial shot on the run from just inside the Grosvenor Park box that was well blocked by 'keeper Tony Rowe. As the powerhouse midfielder picked up the rebound on the left hand corner of the penalty area he hoisted an exuberant first time right footed lob over the head of the advancing custodian that nestled in the right hand corner of the net.

Following the game skipper Richard Brown proudly lifted the Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up shield and the Dales Lane club now face an agonising wait until Thursday 8th May to learn whether they have been selected for promotion into Dr Martens League football ahead of their main rivals Yate Town.

Rushall Olympic 2-2 Chasetown (Midland Football Alliance)

Saturday 26th April 2003

Rushall Olympic ended their home campaign by salvaging a draw from the jaws of defeat as they grabbed two goals in the final five minutes of the contest to deny Chasetown what would have been a hard earned and deserved victory.

Rushall looked a shadow of the side that had pushed eventual champions Stourbridge all the way in this terms title race and their problems were compounded as they failed to register a single worthwhile shot on the visitor's goal during the opening hour of the fixture. Meanwhile a lively Chasetown side, who were winding up their own season, dominated the first period and were two goals to the good just after the half hour mark.

After only seven minutes, as the visitors quickly exerted their authority, Rushall's Ben Willetts inexplicably volleyed a loose ball straight at his own goal during a goal mouth scramble and 'keeper Ryan Price was forced to pull off a tremendous save by turning the effort around the foot of his right hand post for a corner.

Two minutes later Olympic briefly countered and they had good calls for a penalty award turned down by the referee as Ben Willetts' corner from the right bounced awkwardly in Chasetown's danger area and a defender's hand appeared to make contact with the ball.

That was as good as it got for the Pic's during the first period as the visitors took full advantage of the slope and the wind at their backs to keep their hosts firmly under the cosh, aided and abetted by an apparent apathy within the Rushall ranks.

On twenty-one minutes a break forward by Chasetown saw Simon Gossage receive the ball in literally acres of space and was given an alarming amount of time to turn and fire in a shot from twelve yards that 'keeper Ryan Price had to be at the top of his game to push away to his left for a corner.

Rushall's cause was struck a severe blow when they lost the ever influential Ian Long with a knee injury after he landed badly on the hard ground and had to be stretchered off.

In the thirty-third minute it was hardly a surprise when the visitors took the lead after some slack play by the home side allowed right back Lee Gough to steam in unmarked from deep to rifle home a loose ball into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the penalty area.

Within two minutes of opening their account Chasetown punished their shell shocked hosts further thanks to a wonder goal out of the blue when another loose ball was this time latched on to by the unmarked Steve Ball some twenty-five yards out from goal who unleashed a tremendous first time effort that flew straight into the top corner of the net past the bewildered Ryan Price.

Rushall returned from the interval having withdrawn the services of Ben Willetts in favour of the attacking Nick Campbell and the switch soon paid dividends, despite the Scholars almost adding a third goal prior to the wingers first telling contribution.

In the fifty-sixth minute the visitor's top score Karl Edwards was allowed to turn unhindered in the box and his twelve yard snap shot was well saved by 'keeper Ryan Price. The ball was then quickly switched to the other end of play on the counter attack and Nick Campbell's twenty-five yard volley whistled narrowly wide of the 'keeper Adam Lane's woodwork.

In the seventy-third minute Olympic's Lee Booth had his first real opportunity of the game as his low level fifteen yard effort forced the Chasetown custodian into an attempted save that bobbled free of his gloves and out for a corner.

With time rapidly running out the odds were heavily stacked against Rushall, but a chink of light appeared at the end of the tunnel when with five minutes remaining Jason Dyer fed Nick Campbell down the left flank, who instinctively cut inside his marker and struck a pacey goal bound drive from just outside the area that deceived 'keeper Adam Lane and shot under the foot of Scott Gennard into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Pulling the vital goal back proved to be a pivotal moment as from that point onward Olympic began to believe in themselves once more and they began to apply a fair degree of pressure on the visitors rearguard who eventually capitulated. With less than a minute remaining on the watch a defensive clearance up field saw the Chasetown front line caught in an off-side position that allowed Rushall one final opportunity to snatch a dramatic equaliser. With virtually everyone pushed forward in attack, substitute Matt Southwick launched a high ball into the visitors box that was met by top scorer Lee Booth who out jumped his marker to powerfully back head the ball straight past 'keeper Adam Lane from ten yards to earn his side an unlikely share of the spoils when most people had written them off.

The result now leaves the Dales Lane side requiring one point from their final fixture to ensure they end the campaign as runners-up.

Pelsall Villa 0-2 Rushall Olympic (Midland Football Alliance)

Monday 21st April 2003

Rushall Olympic eased to a comfortable two goal away victory over near neighbours Pelsall Villa that strengthened their claims for the runners-up spot at the same time that Stourbridge virtually guaranteed themselves the Midland Football Alliance championship with a derby win of their own.

Although Olympic began brightly, it was the home side who enjoyed the better of the early exchanges with their first real opportunity arriving in the twentieth minute when a defensive mistake allowed front man Stuart Tapper to ghost past and force 'keeper Ryan Price into a superb save as he dived to his right to turn the fifteen yard snap shot away for a corner.

Five minutes later and Stuart Tapper was once more allowed to drift clear of his marker but fortunately Ryan Price was again alert to the imminent danger as he parried away a powerful shot for a corner kick that was heading for the left hand corner of the Rushall goal.

However, that was as good as it got for Pelsall as the visitors went on to assume full control of proceedings for the remainder of the contest.

Just after the half hour mark the Pic's finally got into their stride when good work by Ian Long saw him pick the ball up thirty yards out and threaded through a telling pass that striker Phil Bridge quickly latched on to before slotting a crisp effort barely inches wide of the left hand upright from twelve yards with 'keeper Paul Cooke well beaten.

As Rushall continued to probe for an opening in the thirty-eighth minute, playmaker Steve McCartan sent a delightful ball over the top of the Villa defence that was picked up by Carl Palmer who made his way down the right flank towards the by-line before delivering a tempting low centre to the far post that Lee Booth only marginally failed to connect with as an open goal loomed large in his sights.

With a couple of minutes to the interval the same combination finally paid huge dividends as Olympic deservedly took the lead. Steve McCartan once more set Carl Palmer free who this time swung in a more lofted centre and top scorer Lee Booth rose majestically above the Pelsall defence on the far post to powerfully head home past 'keeper Paul Cooke from ten yards.

With the visitors clearly lifted by the opening goal, immediately from the restart Pelsall had their custodian to thank for preventing Rushall from extending their lead further as the quick footed Ian Long set up Steve McCartan, who had made a powerful run into the left side of the box from where his stinging goal bound drive from eight yards was gratefully parried away for a corner.

The second half saw Olympic step up a gear in their determination to ensure that all three points returned to Dales Lane without any hitches. Following a period of sustained early pressure on fifty-six minutes Ian Long used his height to win a header that was nodded down to the feet of Lee Booth whose first time volley from the edge of the Villa box flew narrowly over the crossbar.

In the sixty-fifth minute with the visitors looking far more comfortable attacking up the slope of the pitch, Aaron Skelding found Ben Willetts on the left flank who sprinted forward and delivered a glorious pin-point cross to the far post that was powerfully met by the head of Lee Booth, but at the last second 'keeper Paul Cooke managed to deflect the downward header for a corner kick.

However, with Rushall maintaining their grip on proceedings they immediately forced another corner following the initial award and this time Steve McCartan's kick curled invitingly unchallenged into the Pelsall danger area and Jason Dyer with his back to goal pulled off a impressive overhead kick that flew into the roof of the net from six yards to give 'keeper Paul Cooke no chance whatsoever.

With Olympic's Steve McCartan being allowed to run the show in midfield, the seventy-fifth minute saw the schemer feed Phil Bridge with a defence splitting pass but a Villa defender made a timely interception as he sliced the ball away for a corner kick to clear the impending threat. Directly from the corner clearance Phil Bridge was again sent clear past a static Pelsall rearguard, but this time as he spotted 'keeper Paul Cooke advancing off his line to narrow the angle he attempted a thirty yard lob that dropped marginally wide of the right hand post.

As the contest began nearing an end the eighty-sixth minute saw a corner swung in from the right to the far post that fell to Lee Booth on the edge of the box who brought the ball under control before turning his marker and firing a fierce drive that the Pelsall custodian took the sting out of before collecting at the second attempt.

On the stroke of full time with the Dales Lane side still very much on the offensive, great work by substitute Nick Campbell down the left flank saw him cut inside and fire in a thunderous effort from fifteen yards that 'keeper Paul Cooke had to spectacularly parry away to safety.

Stafford Town 1-2 Rushall Olympic (Midland Football Alliance)

Saturday 19th April 2003

In a poor end of season encounter that was certainly not for the football purist, Rushall Olympic came back from the jolt of being a goal down to lowly Stafford Town after only eight minutes, thanks to goals from strike partners Lee Booth and Ian Long and in the process ensured themselves a top three finish.

On a hard uneven surface that made good football a virtual impossibility, Rushall began brightly and in only the second minute good work by Ian Long saw him try his luck with a fifteen yard drive from an acute angle that flew agonisingly wide of the right hand upright.

Stafford shocked their guests in the eighth minute when some slipshod defending resulted in the ball being centred from the right and poor marking gave front runner Neville Furnival all the time he required to control the ball and fire crisply home past the despairing dive of 'keeper Ryan Price.

Fortunately, Olympic responded positively to their early set-back and within two minutes of falling behind they were back on level terms thanks to a typically clinical strike from top scorer Lee Booth, who forced his way between two of Stafford's rearguard and rifled the ball home into the bottom left hand corner of the net past 'keeper Louis Whiting.

However, more sloppiness from Rushall almost proved extremely costly as a corner from the right was misjudged by Ryan Price and the ball fell nicely to Neville Furnival on the far post whose twelve yard snap shot was deflected away for another corner kick that eventually cleared.

As the visitors continued to stutter and misfire, seemingly still suffering from their midweek hangover that was the disappointing home defeat by champions-elect Stourbridge, they had custodian Ryan Price to thank once again on thirty-two minutes as he spectacularly tipped Carl Wallace's curling twenty yard shot around his left hand post to safety.

Olympic countered quickly a minute later as Nick Campbell cut in from the right and latched on to a defence splitting through ball, before rifling home a vicious shot from just inside the Stafford box past 'keeper Louis Whiting. However, the visitor's joy was short lived as the 'goal' was immediately disallowed for an alleged off-side decision, much to the consternation of the Rushall contingent.

With the first period nearing an end Olympic again displayed an alarming tendency to shoot themselves in the foot as straight from a weak goal kick Stafford's unmarked Ian Brown was given time and space to advance down the left flank before cutting inside and unleashing a goal bound drive from the edge of the box that was tipped away for a corner by the outstretched left hand of 'keeper Ryan Price.

Incredibly, the Dales Lane side also proved that lightning can indeed strike in the same place twice when they rapidly countered as they had previously done twenty minutes earlier. On this occasion an inviting long ball out of defence tempted the Stafford custodian to try and intercept the danger, but as he dashed off his goal line and out of his area, he appeared to be guilty of a handling offence that went unpunished. However, the loose ball was fired upward by the 'keeper at the face of adversary Ian Long who naturally put his hands up as a shield, before instinctively smashing home the rebound with a first time volley into the empty net - only for the referee to rule out the effort.

The second period continued in a similar manner to that of the first, littered with a series of contentious decisions that aggravated players and supporters alike, coupled with some generally disappointing play from both sides. However, the key moment of the half arrived in the fifty-fifth minute when Rushall were awarded a free-kick twenty-five yards from the Stafford goal. Despite the defensive wall only being marshalled by the match official to some eight yards from the award, Steve McCartan cleverly picked out the unmarked Ian Long who had drifted to the left of Town's protective fortification and he hit a tremendous first time strike from fifteen yards that flew into the top corner of the net past the bewildered 'keeper.

Rushall Olympic 0-1 Stourbridge (Midland Football Alliance)

Tuesday 15th April 2003

Rushall Olympic could have little to complain about after spurning the guilt edged opportunity of a second half equaliser from the penalty spot as Stourbridge extended their lead at the top of the Midland Football Alliance table over their closest rivals to six points, thanks to a deflected own goal a minute prior to the break.

Rushall enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges as Ian Long fired over when well placed in the first ten minutes and Matt Southwick's twenty-five yards just before the half hour mark flew narrowly over the crossbar. However, Stourbridge took the lead against the run of play in the 44th minute when they forced a corner kick that was delivered in from the right and following a goalmouth melee Lee Rollason's close range snap shot somehow cannoned viciously off a sea of bodies and into the net.

Within four minutes of the beginning of the second period there was some optimism for Rushall as Carl Palmer's run into the Stourbridge box was ended by a crude defensive challenge of agricultural proportions and the referee had no alternative but to award a penalty kick. However, the usually reliable Lee Booth stepped up to take the conversion attempt and could only watch in horror as 'keeper Andy Higgs easily held his weak effort down to his right to condemn the Pic's to their third failure from the spot in five games.

Just before the hour mark both sides were reduced to ten men when Dave Benton's unsophisticated challenge on Ian Long resulted in a flare up that saw both men dismissed for their troubles.

As the game reached its latter stages the action swung from end to end, but Olympic's best effort was Matt Southwick's twenty yard effort that the Stourbridge custodian easily held on to. However, the league leaders were rarely stretched at the back and with four minutes remaining they almost doubled their advantage when the ball was whipped into the feet of substitute Brian Gray whose close range snap shot was deflected for a corner, from where eventually a speculative thirty yard Delton Francis volley was pushed away for another corner with a brilliant save from 'keeper Ryan Price.

This proverbial six-pointer for Stourbridge now means that due to their superior goal difference they need only six points from their remaining three games to clinch the league title, although their reward will not be promotion to Dr Martens League football.

Rushall Olympic 4-0 Halesowen Harriers (Midland Football Alliance)

Saturday 12th April 2003

Rushall Olympic eased to a comprehensive four goal victory over struggling Halesowen Harriers as they cemented second place in the Midland Football Alliance table and also guaranteed themselves a top five finish in the process. Man of the moment for Rushall was striker Phil Bridge who ably deputised for top scorer Lee Booth and grabbed a hat-trick to boost his sides' promotion push.

Despite generating a substantial amount of early pressure Rushall had to wait until the twentieth minute to open their account when a dangerous ball into the Halesowen box fell nicely at the feet of Phil Bridge. With the option of threading a pass through to strike partner Scott Gennard ruled out due to him being in danger of encroaching into an off-side position, the former Harriers' hit man overcame the potential embarrassment of miscontrolling a bobbling ball to clinically slot home past 'keeper Turner from ten yards.

Although Olympic generally looked extremely comfortable for the remainder of the first period, their rhythm was somewhat upset with the premature loss of injured forward Scott Gennard. However, the visitors did cause the Rushall contingent to breathe a huge sigh of relief on one occasion when with ten minutes to the interval a Halesowen corner kick from the left found its way to the unmarked Andy Jones on the far post, but the usually prolific striker somehow blazed the ball way over the crossbar with 'keeper Ryan Price committed and literally an open goal at his mercy.

Within four minutes of the restart Rushall had the perfect opportunity to double their lead when a great ball played into Steve McCartan allowed him to turn and progress into the Harriers' box where the midfielder came under a heavy challenge that the match officials decreed warranted the award of a penalty kick. Unfortunately, as skipper Richard Brown stepped up to take the conversion attempt he placed the spot kick too close to 'keeper Turner who easily pushed the effort away to his right.

However, the Pic's were not to be denied extending their lead when in the 54th minute another telling ball delivered in from the left by Ben Willetts was consummately slotted home by Phil Bridge who slid in from eight yards under a challenge from defender Forrest.

Netting the second goal appeared to give the Dales Lane side more confidence to push forward in search of improving their goal difference as Harriers' became visibly deflated. It was therefore not surprising when an extremely well worked third goal arrived on 63 minutes after Carl Palmer strode through central midfield and sent a glorious ball over the top of the Halesowen defence to the left flank that Ben Willetts quickly latched on to before delivering an equally telling cross that was headed powerfully home into the bottom right hand corner of the net from ten yards by Phil Bridge to complete a clinical hat-trick.

As Rushall continued to press home their territorial advantage a fourth goal was always in the offing and in the 66th minute the hard working Carl Palmer won a crucial header and the ball eventually fell at the feet of Matt Southwick who struck a tremendous first time shot with the outside of his right foot from just inside the Halesowen box that swerved straight into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give 'keeper Turner no chance whatsoever.

Three minutes later and Olympic threatened again when a good surging run by Ben Willetts down the left wing saw him cut inside and unleash a rising drive from fifteen yards that went well over the crossbar.

With the visitor's now looking a spent force the 78th minute saw another good ball delivered in from the left by Ben Willetts that was this time picked up by Matt Southwick and his first time twenty-five yard half volley was seemingly heading for the bottom corner of the net, but was well held by the Halesowen custodian down to his right.

Two minutes later and Olympic were once more thwarted in their attempts to extend their already formidable lead when a high ball scooped in from the left by Matt Southwick was challenged for by 'keeper Turner and Phil Bridge who both missed the ball, but the latter picked up possession and with his back to goal attempted an audacious overhead kick that Turner was forced to smartly tip over the crossbar for a corner.

Causeway United 1-2 Rushall Olympic (Midland Football Alliance)

Thursday 10th April 2003

Rushall Olympic made it another nervous night for their supporter's as they edged to a narrow victory over a Causeway United side who were bolstered by no less than six ex-Olympians in their starting line-up. However, despite the obvious on-field rivalry, the visitors enjoyed a positive opening and in the eighteenth minutes a ball was played in to Ian Long on the edge of the Causeway box and he threaded a pass through to feed Lee Booth on the left who fired narrowly wide of the right hand post from fifteen yards with the 'keeper well beaten.

As the home side responded briefly on twenty-five minutes, Curtis Barnes attempted a speculative first time 35 yard blockbuster that 'keeper Ryan Price held on to at the second attempt after taking the initial sting out of the effort.

Rushall thought they had taken the initiative in the 33rd minute when a Rob Holdcroft corner swung in from the right was headed powerfully home from ten yards by Lee Booth, however what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate goal was inexplicably ruled out by the referee for an alleged push.

The second half began with Olympic very much on the offensive and within nine minutes of the restart they had forged into a deserved lead with a wonderful move. Superb work down the left flank by Ian Long saw him jinx past his marker before releasing Rob Holdcroft, who made his way to the by-line and sent over an inch perfect deep cross that was met by the head of Carl Palmer who sent the ball across goal into the top corner of the net from fifteen yards.

As the game moved into the final ten minutes Rushall look to be extremely comfortable and well on course to rack up another crucial three points in the Alliance title race, however Causeway had other ideas and as they upped the tempo of the game in a final push they quickly began to put their guests under some sustained pressure.

In the 83rd minute United left back Ian Kirkham was allowed to progress unhindered through the centre of the park and eventually fired off a powerful twenty-five yard drive that Rushall custodian Ryan Price did extremely well to tip over the crossbar for a corner. From the resulting kick a goal mouth scramble ensued from where the ball was threaded through to former Dales Lane striker Gary Piggott on the far post who bundled the ball over the line from close range.

Within two minutes of being pegged back to level terms Olympic almost paid the heavy price for their late dose of complacency when Curtis Barnes was given time and space to turn in the box, but could only strike his powerful shot on the turn into the side netting. Thankfully, Rushall recovered their composure and with only three minutes of normal time on the watch remaining, Carl Palmer made a terrific break down the right flank and centred for Lee Booth, who couldn't quite control the ball fully and in the goalmouth scrambled that followed, Ian Long somehow latched on to the loose ball and smashed the ball home into the roof of the net from eight yards to earn his side a vital victory.

Bridgnorth Town 0-2 Rushall Olympic (Midland Football Alliance)

Saturday 5th April 2003

Clinical second half strikes from Lee Booth and Ian Long were enough to complete a competent but important Rushall Olympic victory at Bridgnorth Town as the Alliance title race continues to heat up.

The visitors enjoyed a bright opening and in only the second minute a quick break saw Carl Palmer burst forward to carve through the Bridgnorth defence, before spreading the ball into the path of Scott Gennard who ran through, only to see young 'keeper Bray dash confidently off his line to block the striker's fifteen yard effort.

As Rushall continued to probe for an early opening, a fourteenth minute up field punt saw Scott Gennard and marker Collins make an aerial challenge with the ball eventually falling nicely for the striker who was able to create himself some space and attempt a lob over the advancing Bray from the edge of the Bridgnorth box. However, the impressive custodian once again showed his worth as he made a telling block to prevent a certain goal.

Two minutes later and the pace of Scott Gennard once again stretched the home defence to the limit as he ran clear, but on this occasion his first time shot on the run from twenty yards was screwed well wide of the right hand post.

In the twentieth minute the home side briefly threatened and Olympic were certainly indebted to their own 'keeper Ryan Price who pulled off a breathtaking save to prevent the Shropshire outfit from taking a surprise lead. A tremendous volley by Evans from just outside the Rushall box dipped viciously and appeared to be heading into the top right hand corner of the net, but the Pic's custodian somehow managed to get his finger tips to the ball to push the effort on to the crossbar, from where it rebounded to relative safety before being gratefully cleared.

As the visitors regained their authority on thirty-five minutes, live wire front man Scott Gennard was once again sent clear of the home defence down the Crown Meadow slope, only to be thwarted yet again by arch adversary Bray who rushed off his line to get in a telling one footed challenge to avert the imminent danger.

With the interval fast approaching Olympic had another opportunity to open their account as Steve McCartan tried his luck with a twenty-five yard free kick, but 'keeper Bray was once again equal to the challenge and managed to claim the ball at the second attempt.

Within four minutes of the restart Rushall were quickly on to the offensive with a corner from Steve McCartan on the left that was rolled out to Ian Long, who quickly cut inside the Bridgnorth penalty area and drove in a first time effort from twelve yards that Bray pushed away for another corner kick.

It was no surprise when the visitors deservedly broke the deadlock in the 57th minutes as a period of sustained pressure saw Carl Palmer power down the right flank before feeding Scott Gennard, whose first time snap shot from just inside the Bridgnorth box was blocked. However, Palmer quickly picked up the loose ball and once again threaded it through to the Gennard who this time opted to square the ball to strike partner Lee Booth who fired expertly fired home into the bottom corner of the net from fifteen yards.

Conceding the goal did little to curb Bridgnorth's enthusiasm as they began to push forward in search of a quick equaliser, however as the half progressed and their frustrations began to develop both on and off the field of play the home side had manager Jimmy Mullen ordered to the sidelines by the referee on seventy-one minutes.

Three minutes later and Olympic effectively sealed the encounter by grabbing the all important second goal when another break forward by Scott Gennard saw him feed Ian Long, who in turn threaded the ball through to Lee Booth on the right whose first time shot was blocked by 'keeper Bray, only to see the rebound confidently rifled home by Long from eight yards.

With the safety cushion now firmly in place the home side became somewhat subdued, allowing their guests to push forward with even more gusto. The eventual introduction of substitutes Ben Willetts and Matt Southwick added more penetration to the visitors attacking play, which was highlighted on seventy-seven minutes when the latter was set up by Lee Booth who drove the ball narrowly over the crossbar from twenty yards.

As the game neared a conclusion Rushall almost added a third goal when Steve McCartan's rising twenty-five yard free-kick sailed narrowly over the woodwork, however the final outcome was never in doubt as the Dales Lane side eased back up into second place in the table behind Stourbridge.