SLOPPY POLICE DEFENDING GIFTS ROMULUS VICTORY

Sloppy Police defending in the second half let host's Romulus back into the game to overcome a nil-one deficit.

West Mids goal on nine minutes also came about because of a defensive error when Romulus keeper Derek Dudley dropped the ball after saving Lee Wharmby's 20 yard shot and Police debutant striker Neil Jones pounced on the loose ball and scored with a simple tap-in.

Police almost increased their lead on 31 minutes when Ollie Latchford saw his 25 yard free kick beat the defensive wall and the keeper but the ball bounced out off the post.

Romulus went close on the stroke of half time when Jimmy Stafferd sent Anthony Briscoe clear but the final shot was saved by Darren Carmell at full stretch to avert a certain goal.

West Mids troubles started early in the second half, when, on 56 minutes a Ricky Martin cross was miscued by Mark Langley and the ball fell to Briscoe who had time to turn and fire past the exposed Carmell.

Worse was to follow, on 62 minutes when Paul Shaw bundled over Matthew Robinson in the box and Lee Gavin blasted home the spot kick. Police rallied when Jones held up a long ball and set up Latchford who rattled the cross bar with a shot from the edge of the box.

On 82 minutes the Police defence let themselves down yet again by failing to clear the ball and Romulus substitute Matthew Hawker nipped in to fire home from close range. Romulus could now afford to miss a penalty which they did on 85 minutes after Kieron McDade brought down a Romulus attacker and Gavin subsequently put the spot kick high over the bar.

The one bright spot for the Police was the return of Ian Millward after a long break through injury. "Welcome back Ian" .

Match Report by Tony 'Scoop' Pearson
West Midlands Police Football Club Press Officer