Cammell Laird 3, Belper Town 2

Jan 14 2008 by Paul McLoughlin, Liverpool Daily Post

CAMMELL LAIRD edged it in this UniBond first division game of high drama against a strong Nailers side.

The visitors could, and should have been two up within the first half an hour with erstwhile hotshot Ross Hannah firing high and wide from close quarters.

The Birkenhead men added to Belper’s frustration by taking the lead just before half-time, Thomas Rooney dodging through the defence to fire hard and low into the net.

The second half saw the Nailers undaunted by matters and pulled things level in bizarre circumstances. An Andy Rushmere free-kick from the wing bounced twice without a single player touching it to land in the net and restore parity.

Cammell Laird regained the lead when Rooney laid the ball off to Chris Adamson who rifled home.

Belper slipped further behind when Rooney staved off defenders to rifle the ball home.

Despite a late goal from Tracey it was too little too late for the Nailers against a strong Cammell Laird side.

The game was marred a minute from time when Nailers keeper Adam Ogden mowed Rooney down in his attempt to go up for a free-kick, the ensuing brawl resulted in Ogden being shown a straight red, substituted Anthony Wilson was ordered off for punching Rooney, who was also sent for an early bath.

CAMMELL LAIRD: Lake, Sheehan, G.Jones (Lynch 57), McMahon (McDonnell 78), Atherton, Collins (Stones 57), Jebb, Gibiliru, Rooney, Hay, Adamson.