Post by wally on Jan 28, 2008 13:29:04 GMT
A really impressive performance this week in a game where the opposition arrived top of the table and believing they were about to pick up three easy points. Once again before kick off numbers started to reduce and from a squad of 15 rovers turned out with 12, not ideal preparations for a team which had never played together before.
St Lukes started strongly as expected keeping the ball well and looking to hit rovers on the break, but never really looked like they would break a resolute defensive performance. Unfortunately rovers fell behind to a lucky goal as a flick on from a throw eluded the grasps of dave lavelle (playing in goal) and goasted into an empty net. 1-0 st lukes but rovers came back strong pinning the home team into their own half winning first and second balls as half-time arrived rovers were desperately unlucky to go in 1-0 down.
As the second half began there were signs that the opposition were tiring as rovers began knocking the ball around well limiting the opposition to long balls over the top and after a period of pressure rovers got their reward as the ball broke to stuart on the edge of the area he played a neat ball into the path of seb which eluded both the goalie and himself and snook in at the far post. The match started to turn into more of a battle with steve howe on his debut contolling and winning the midfield fight for rovers, and with some inspired goalkeeping from lavelle in nets rovers were not just holding their own they were competing and winning the battle. Unfortunately they were caught by a long ball over the top which bounced high in front of Lavelle, and as if from no-where peter crouch was on the pitch to head home. 2-1 st lukes. Throughout the season it is at this point many rovers teams have crumbled but this one didnt fighting back again, a cross from the left from seb was met in the air by the head of brandon. 2-2. Rovers battled out to the end and where unlucky not to grab all three points as chances went begging.
I personally was impressed by the amount of commitment shown by all this week, and for me it was a great team performance. No-one shouted at the ref or each other, its good to see a team of players enjoying the football and wanting to wear a rovers shirt. Well done lads
Man of the match - Steve Howe
Team
Dave L (GK)
Dave W (CB)
Paddy (CB)
Fletch (RB)
Tony (LB)
Steve H(CM)
Chris C (CM)
Lynden (RM) SUB Mike C
Stuart W (LM)
Seb (CF)
Brandon (CF)
St Lukes started strongly as expected keeping the ball well and looking to hit rovers on the break, but never really looked like they would break a resolute defensive performance. Unfortunately rovers fell behind to a lucky goal as a flick on from a throw eluded the grasps of dave lavelle (playing in goal) and goasted into an empty net. 1-0 st lukes but rovers came back strong pinning the home team into their own half winning first and second balls as half-time arrived rovers were desperately unlucky to go in 1-0 down.
As the second half began there were signs that the opposition were tiring as rovers began knocking the ball around well limiting the opposition to long balls over the top and after a period of pressure rovers got their reward as the ball broke to stuart on the edge of the area he played a neat ball into the path of seb which eluded both the goalie and himself and snook in at the far post. The match started to turn into more of a battle with steve howe on his debut contolling and winning the midfield fight for rovers, and with some inspired goalkeeping from lavelle in nets rovers were not just holding their own they were competing and winning the battle. Unfortunately they were caught by a long ball over the top which bounced high in front of Lavelle, and as if from no-where peter crouch was on the pitch to head home. 2-1 st lukes. Throughout the season it is at this point many rovers teams have crumbled but this one didnt fighting back again, a cross from the left from seb was met in the air by the head of brandon. 2-2. Rovers battled out to the end and where unlucky not to grab all three points as chances went begging.
I personally was impressed by the amount of commitment shown by all this week, and for me it was a great team performance. No-one shouted at the ref or each other, its good to see a team of players enjoying the football and wanting to wear a rovers shirt. Well done lads
Man of the match - Steve Howe
Team
Dave L (GK)
Dave W (CB)
Paddy (CB)
Fletch (RB)
Tony (LB)
Steve H(CM)
Chris C (CM)
Lynden (RM) SUB Mike C
Stuart W (LM)
Seb (CF)
Brandon (CF)