Oliver Roome brace and Jack Thomas spot-kick sink FootballCV Reds.
Substitute Oliver Roome (pictured) scored twice in the space of four minutes as our youngsters recorded a 3-0 victory over FootballCV Reds at Kirklington Road this afternoon.
The 17-year-old was on the score-sheet along with skipper Jack Thomas, who broke the stubborn resistance of the Reds’ defence with a spot-kick on the hour mark.
Our team were on top for long spells against their mid-table counterparts, but created few clear-cut chances during a frustrating first half.
The Stags started well as winger Conor Green used his sweet left foot to pepper the Reds’ area with a series of early crosses, but the visitors’ held firm.
Ross Lamb enjoyed our first meaningful sight of the target on the half-hour mark when he let fly with an ambitious 25-yard drive which went narrowly over.
Kevin Hemagou then had an angled strike well-saved by the visiting ‘keeper, who also showed great reflexes to tip a Dan Fletcher attempt round the post just before half-time.
Our side continued to search for an opener after the re-start and only a goal-line clearance stopped Hemagou from heading home Green’s corner on 54 minutes.
Nevertheless, Hemagou was directly involved in our opener a few minutes later, as he drew an untidy challenge which led to us being awarded a spot-kick.
Responsibilities were left to Thomas, who showed great nerves as he calmly stepped up and placed the ball in the bottom-left corner, beyond the keeper’s reach.
The Reds threatened only sporadically, but nearly grabbed an equaliser on 70 minutes when Jack Koczalski was forced into a vital headed clearance at the far-post.
With a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, the result was put beyond doubt when Heamgou spun away from his marker to reach Chris Spencer’s pass down the right flank.
The powerful frontman slotted an inviting ball towards Roome on the edge of the six-yard box, who took a touch and steered a low shot into the bottom corner.
Roome struck again to make it 3-0 on 79 minutes, when he showed predatory instincts by helping to divert an effort by Lamb into the net, via the post.
Ultimately it was a professional performance from our team, who were deserved winners.
The result means we are now three points clear at the top of the table as closest-rivals Chasetown slipped to a surprise 3-2 at Kidderminster Harriers.
Team: Kumari-Hill, Lamb, Marsden, Brownlie, Koczalski, Green, J.Thomas (c), Spencer (Fitzpatrick), Jones (Roome), Hemagou, Fletcher (Thompson).
