Helenic League Divisioon One
Ross 1, Ardley United 2
HOME matches mean very little to the footballers of Ross-on-Wye.
Without a ground in their home town, the soccer team has to travel to Cinderford – the nearest club with facilities good enough for their standard of football.
"It's soul destroying at times and we probably can't go on forever like this. We get lots of promises but we will have to wait and see," reflected Ross's director of football, Chris Parsons.
He would dearly love Ross to play in their own backyard and says the same applies to the youth team who compete in the highly respected and competitive Midlands League but have to play all their games in Hereford.
Parsons can reflect on at least two failed planning application by the club and says the future status of Ross football could suffer if they have to continue to play every match away.
Away from off-field politics, Ross started the Hellenic League season at Cinderford – their third at the Causeway – in fine form and were early favourites to win the promotion chase.
In the early games they did well but then hit a snag – they just couldn't score.
"We have the second best defensive record in the league, but if you don't score goals it means nothing," says Parsons, who is the assistant first Xl manager.
From being up with the top teams Ross are just below midtable and struggling to win a league game.
"Fortunately we have four or five games in hand so things are not as black as they look," he says.
The club has a big day to look forward to. While they have scratched away in the league, cup football has brought out the best in them and they have turned in some outstanding performances to clinch a place in the League Cup final.
They will play Swindon Super Marine at Didcot on May 6 for what will be a big day for the team and the town.
Along the way Ross saw off two Hellenic Premier League teams. "We have played our best football in the cup and everyone is anticipating a great day out for the final," said Parsons.
He thought his team unlucky not to snatch at least a point against Ardley.
With five minutes to go Martin Murphy scored the equaliser – but Ardley scored almost immediately to take the points.