Rock hosted Auldhouse in their first home league match on the season at Merkins Park on Saturday. Rock had good news with last seasons top scorer C.Graham returning to the side after suspension but still out were Revie, King,Beaumont and Docherty and Campbell.

Rock started well with C.Graham causing problems up front and was pulled down early on by the Auldhouse defence as he homed in on goal. Rock suffered a blow on 11mins when keeper Reilly was taken off with a split lip after yet another forearm smash from Auldhouse No8 Ferguson who amazingly time after time gets away with it and not surprisingly wasnt even booked. Sub Des Johnston took to the field and full back Kevin Graham had to take over the gloves and he lost two very soft goals in the next 10mins. First up was a weak header at the back post that was fumbled into the net and then a rush of blood left Kev off his line and Auldhouse had the simple task of shooting into the empty net. Rock down 2-0 and really up against it. Rock kept it it and had a glorious chance to get back into the game when Bacon was brought down in the box, however Smallwood blew the chance as the game dived to his right and saved a poor effort from the spot.

HT Rock 0-2 Auldhouse

2nd half more of the same with criminal defending from the Rock left them 4-0 down. On 55mins Smallwood had the opportunity to put the ball out the park but the centre mid delayed his clearance and lost possession which ended up leaving a simple tap in for no8. 4th goal was a decent build up from the winger and finished in style by a diving headerfrom the striker. Rock picked up a gear and came fighting back with two goals in 12mins. Craig Graham got his first after a Bacon volley was touched onto the bar and he headed home for his first of the season. 6mins later another spot kick after Bacon was brought down in the box, Graham made no mistake and Rock looked back in the game. But step forward more suicidal defending and Hainey this time attempted to take on the winger in his own box, lost possession and Auldhouse made in 5-2. The final goal of the game came in the last minute when Graham was pulled down again and he completed his hat trick from the spot.

FT Rock 3-5 Auldhouse

One of those days nothing went right and the loss of Keeper Reilly after 12mins was always going to give Rock too much to do. However losing 4 soft goals to shocking defending is unacceptable and the players need to eradicate these silly mistaked from their game and lift themselves next week for away league match next sat to Inverkip.