Hot-shot Rostill stars with gloves (From Redditch Advertiser)

Hot-shot Rostill stars with gloves

10:15am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport

IT’S a classic case of poacher turned gamekeeper as scoring machine Keith Rostill has started thwarting opposition strikers for Studley in goal.

The former Alvechurch goal-getter joined the Bees a fortnight ago as an eyebrow raising choice between the sticks.

But since then Studley have gone unbeaten, beating Heath Hayes, drawing with high-flying Gornal Athletic and defeating Lye Town 3-0 last Tuesday to power into the last four of the Worcestershire Senior Urn.

While many would think bringing in someone who is better know for racking up goals rather than clean sheets was a strange choice, it was an easy decision for manager Lee Knight.

The 33-year-old hitman had been plying his trade with Bartley Green and Blackwood this season.

He said: “I’ve known Keith a long time, his dad was the scout who recommended me to West Bromwich.

“He used to be in the England under-16 set-up before going onto score a lot of goals in non-league as a striker.

“I think some people at the club think I had gone barmy when I suggested bring Keith in as a goalkeeper but he’s been the best we’ve had this season.

“He’s not one for being modest and he’s told me he’s scored hundreds of goals and now he’s going to keep hundreds of clean sheets!”

Studley were expecting to find out who they will face in the last four of the Senior Urn, as Bewdley Town and Alvechurch were set to battle it out last night.

Studley though are flying high after they put a Lye side who are challenging for the title in the West Midlands League to the sword last week with goals for Jordan McGrath, Martin Crawford and Matt Collins.

They saw their league clash at home to Coleshill postponed on Saturday because of a water logged pitch.

Studley, who were set to entertain Gornal at home in the Midlands Alliance last night, then go to Heath Hayes on Saturday (3pm ko) and entertain Westfields next Wednesday (7.45pm ko).

Knight added: “At the moment we’ve got 17 or 18 players who really are pushing for places.”