Rochester United picked up a valuable three points after two goals in two minutes sealed the victory over ten man Banstead Athletic.

 Goals from Logan Thomson and Perez Goumou within the last fifteen minutes sealed the win.

Rochester came into the game sitting top of the table while the visitors came sitting bottom respectively. While all the other teams at the top of the table were playing one another, the game for Rochester was a must win. 

With the weather making the game difficult for both sides sadly it was never going to be a classic. Heavy rain after a few hours of light drizzle made the pitch wet, slippery and somewhat muddy in places. Celebrating my1000th live attended match in this weather you’d have thought I’m mad. I maybe am but football is a passion and I’d be out in all weathers.

Banstead started well with a fair amount of the ball, wasn’t many shots in the opening fifteen minutes but Banstead had the first effort at Chris Swift in the Rochester goal.

Rochester started to try and play their usual style of play and pass it around to create space, but sadly the weather wasn’t helping and Banstead were able to win the ball and clear.

The only real bit of controversy was a debatable back pass to the Rochester goalkeeper that the referee missed. 

Half time 0-0

Second half Rochester came out brighter and had their first meaningful effort on target but Banstead’s Jordan Markey did enough to collect and clear.

Because of the weather, the game was mainly played in midfield as the long balls were fizzing along the pitch at rapid speed.

With just over 20 minutes to go Banstead’s captain Jwnson Allchurch received his marching orders. He was given his second yellow for pulling down Perez Goumou who was racing through on goal. 

Rochester broke the deadlock after a lovely ball into the box and Logan managed to beat his marker to tap home.

Just two minutes later Harvey Roberts was racing down the left hand side and delivered a lovely ball into the box, Perez Goumou was able to tap home to put the Spartans two up with thirteen to go. 

Banstead kept trying to get a goal to make the closing stages interesting but Rochester did well and Chris Swift got his clean sheet. 

Full time Rochester Utd 2-0 Banstead athletic

Att: 54

ROCHESTER UNITED

Swift, Wyness, Lott, Payne [C], Currie, Loynes, Wilkins, Watson ( Dance 69’), Ward (Roberts 57’), Reilly (Goumou 58’), Thomson (Dos Santos 77’).

BANSTEAD ATHLETIC

Markey, Hyett, Katana, Smith, Allchurch [C], Evans, Williams, Sam-Norton, Duffus (Lucas 56’), Tickle, de Ste Croix.

Sub not used: Agyen.

Referee- Mr Krzykowski