The Rovers lack of finishing almost cost them all 3 points at Orange Memorial Park yesterday afternoon. With a bit of luck this game could have been over a half-time but as it turned out the Rovers endured a series of long throw ins in the last minutes which had the game hanging in the balance.
Orange park is quite narrow so the Rovers decided to play 5 across the middle and this tactic worked well as they immediately seized control of the middle of the park. Jose was pulling the strings with Mark and Curt doing the dirty work. Eoin and Jose created the first chance of the match when Eoin sent Bryce away. As Bryce skipped by the last defender he dragged his shot just wide of the advancing keeper and post. The Rovers had the ball down in the SSf half for the majority of this opening spell, any break by SSF was met by the wall of Matty, Jonathan and Jed. On the occassions that KC did get the ball his monster punts downfield were causing all sorts of problems from the opposition defense. The next Rovers chance saw Nigel play in Bryce after a long punt only for his shot to get blocked out. Rovers won a free kick in a dangerous position, Nigels shot avoiding the wall and the goalie did well to save.
Brodie did well to incercept the ball from a keeper throw in and he kept it in play, picking out Nigel who volleyed, first time, against the post. Brodie went close moments later with a free kick that was well saved. Seamus was introduced to the play and almost took the game by the scruff of the neck. The pace of Seamus and Bryce was hard on SSF and Seamus tried a fantastic chip that skimmed off the post. Moments later Brodie put another one on Eoin's head only for him to head right to the keeper.
All of this domination didn't pay off and the Rovers started to give away some silly free-kicks. Jed was pulled up for one that was clearly the wrong way. The ball was played in, never touching a player and went out for a SSF throw, which caused the Rovers problems. SSF version of Rorey Delap sent the ball and it was not properly cleared but KC was on hand with a fantastic save. The Rovers finally got the breakthough they craved when Bryce took one of his many first half opportunties to just find the inside of the post with a ball that was perfeclty place. It was a great finish, with Seamus playing a part in the build up.
The half petered out, Gibbsy, Lawton and Jose still getting the better of them.
The half time talk centered around keeping it tight at the back. The Rovers came out very focused and should have had all 3 points in the bag after 15 minutes. Bryce had some very good looks at the goal but his shots failed to find the target. Jose sent Brodie away but his chip was the wrong option, he should have done much better with that chance. Seamus also tried a cheecky dummy after a Bryce attempt, that almost beat the keeper. Seamus also had more normal chances on goal but could not take them. Eoin had another header well wide after a corner. Gibbsy and Matty were winning any ball that was off the ground, the aeiral display was very impressive. Curt playing in the middle of the park for the first time in many years won a very crunching tackles and then did the smart thing by playing it simple, to Jose.
Jose came off with about 15 minutes to go and the Rovers lost one of their key players as they stopped holding on the ball. The last 5 minutes of the match saw Rovers with their back to the wall but they managed to hang on with KC making some fantastic catches (and throw outs) to settle any nerves the Rovers had. It was a very hard earned 3 points in the end and very competive match.
Field: Narrow and a bit wet in parts. For a grass field in the Bay Area it was actually pretty good
Ref; The one on our side was very good and the one on the other was not as good. The Center ref did a pretty good, showing a red card to their player in the 2nd half for swearing (with 2 minutes to go) His hand ball decisions (or lack of) were annoying and his calling of petty fells around our box was a bit of nightmare. Overall he did a good job of keeping things moving and admitting he made a mistake when he almost booked their guy when it was Curt who had committed the foul
quote of the day: Any suggestions here guys. I think I was to tired to hear any.
Man of the Match (MOM) Jed; composed display, never put a foot wrong, passed the ball from the back and kept everyone going all day. Honorable mention to Jose who made us tick and Jonathan for an equally good display at the back.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
SSF this Weekend
Roves and SSF split last year with each time winning away from home. This will be a tough game for the Rovers as it's early kick off and it's on grass, something the Rovers are not used to.
The Rovers also head to SSF with some key injuries and some late fitness checks. Jed is hoping to make his 2008-09 debut but ankle injury may keep him out. Of course the Rovers are missing their Captain Paulie due to a knee in the back at training a few weeks back. A strong rumor around the club is the Brodie paid KC to injure the captain so he could wear the armband. Also missing from action this week is Nav, off to Toronto. Nav was signed from Fiji for 10Million Fiji dollars (worth a few bucks) but has yet to appear for the Rovers.
Mike's crew from SSF are usually a good bunch of lads and even might still have an ex-rover on the books. It should be a good match, 10am at Orange Park
The Rovers also head to SSF with some key injuries and some late fitness checks. Jed is hoping to make his 2008-09 debut but ankle injury may keep him out. Of course the Rovers are missing their Captain Paulie due to a knee in the back at training a few weeks back. A strong rumor around the club is the Brodie paid KC to injure the captain so he could wear the armband. Also missing from action this week is Nav, off to Toronto. Nav was signed from Fiji for 10Million Fiji dollars (worth a few bucks) but has yet to appear for the Rovers.
Mike's crew from SSF are usually a good bunch of lads and even might still have an ex-rover on the books. It should be a good match, 10am at Orange Park
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Rovers 4 PSC 1
The Rovers Soccer Club opened up their league campaign with a resounding 4-1 against rivals Peninsula Social Club. The Rovers offered up 3 debuts to Jonathan in the heart of defense, Big Joe, out on the left and Little Joe finally made is long awaited debut onto the pitch, after an 9 month detox stint.
The Rover had the upper hand at the start of the match with Nigel and Bryce not giving their defenders anytime to think on the ball. Jose was pulling the strings in the opening stages and was knocking every ball simple to feet. This allowed the Rovers to settle down quickly, which has been a problem in years past. The first goal game when Brodie, this year’s Vice-Captain, intercepted a lose ball and played it Jose. Jose quickly switched the play over to Eoin who after some nice work with Bryce had a shot at goal that the goalie parried to Nigel’s feet. Nigel still had a bit of work to do, but running was not involved, so he calmly slotted the ball home for the Rovers first goal of the season.
Curt, Jonathan, Matty and Eoin were dealing with all of the long hopeful balls that were being sent over but the Rovers were caught out in minute 20 when the lineman’s on the far side of the field failed to acknowledge a PSC player who was at least 5 yards offside. Ben came off his line, only for the player to go round Ben, and miss an open net as Jonathan and Curt were hoping to block his effort. This was a huge let off for the Rovers and proved to be a costly miss for PSC. Moments later their goalie kicked out a back pass directly into the chest of Bryce who did well to control the ball. His teammates were urging him to attack the goalie but he looked up and picked his spot in the corner of the PSC goal. Bryce had been unlucky on a couple of other occasions so it was a great to see him celebrate his first goal of the season and the Rovers second of the day.
The Rovers had a great chance to go up by 3 and kill the game off when Nigel played in Brodie down the wing. His cross found new boy, Big Joe in the box. Big Joe side stepped his man and only had the goalie to beat but their keeper made amends for two first half mistakes to palm Joe’s shot to safety. Big Joe, Eoin and Jose were killing down the left side with Gibbsy, marking their number four out of the first half. Matty was knocking all balls down to his back 4 and whatever he didn’t win Jonathan and Curt were on hand to clear.
The Rovers half time talk centered around keeping it tight at the back. Of course, inside of 5 minutes PSC won a fee kick in a dangerous spot. The ball was driven in low and hard and the Rovers defense failed to clear it. The ball ended up at the back post where Lino was on hand to beat place the ball around Ben. The game was back on. This was Rovers worst spell of the match. The ball was not being held up and the Rovers just kept conceding possession. PSC’s number 4 went on a great run going around 5 Rovers players only Ben to make a marvelous save. Moments later Jonathan was pushed off the ball in the box and the ref went to call a foul but waived play on. Ben needed to make another outstanding stop to keep the game level.
PSC again cursed those missed chances when Bryce finished them off after Brodie sent him away from 40 yards. Bryce had only the keeper to beat and he took a beating for his work but at 3-1 the game was truly over. The defense was crunching their opponents and the Rovers were clearly winning the midfield battle. The Rovers fourth goal was a thing of beauty and one of the best goals Rovers have scored in ages. About 8 first time passes, including Jose, Eoin, Mark and Jose, worked the ball up the line for Big Joe to slot in his first Rovers career goal. Little Joe made it 5 but was judged to have handled it. Lawton had a shot that was well saved by the keeper as the Rovers were looking to pile it on but the final result read 4-1 to Rovers and that was pretty fair reflection of the match. PSC will be not an easy game for the Rovers at their field.
MOM; it’s always good when the choice is hard as many players qualified. Jonathan for his non-stop effort in the back. Big Joe for his influence down the left. Bryce for his two-goal performance. But my vote was to the man who pulled all the strings and settled Rovers down. Jose Angel Rodriquez was marvelous.
REF: Average. Linesman: Below Average. She got no help and it showed. She was nervous in her calls at times and clearly contradicted herself with the offside’s law. How she let 20 stay on the field is something only she knows but she did get manage to keep control of the game. Her linesman were pretty poor
Field: Massive as always
Pub: Fun, two free pitchers of Stella is always good
Quote of the Day: Little Joe - "Your pissing on my fire" to the ref after she consulted with the linesman to disallow Joe’s debut goal.
The Rover had the upper hand at the start of the match with Nigel and Bryce not giving their defenders anytime to think on the ball. Jose was pulling the strings in the opening stages and was knocking every ball simple to feet. This allowed the Rovers to settle down quickly, which has been a problem in years past. The first goal game when Brodie, this year’s Vice-Captain, intercepted a lose ball and played it Jose. Jose quickly switched the play over to Eoin who after some nice work with Bryce had a shot at goal that the goalie parried to Nigel’s feet. Nigel still had a bit of work to do, but running was not involved, so he calmly slotted the ball home for the Rovers first goal of the season.
Curt, Jonathan, Matty and Eoin were dealing with all of the long hopeful balls that were being sent over but the Rovers were caught out in minute 20 when the lineman’s on the far side of the field failed to acknowledge a PSC player who was at least 5 yards offside. Ben came off his line, only for the player to go round Ben, and miss an open net as Jonathan and Curt were hoping to block his effort. This was a huge let off for the Rovers and proved to be a costly miss for PSC. Moments later their goalie kicked out a back pass directly into the chest of Bryce who did well to control the ball. His teammates were urging him to attack the goalie but he looked up and picked his spot in the corner of the PSC goal. Bryce had been unlucky on a couple of other occasions so it was a great to see him celebrate his first goal of the season and the Rovers second of the day.
The Rovers had a great chance to go up by 3 and kill the game off when Nigel played in Brodie down the wing. His cross found new boy, Big Joe in the box. Big Joe side stepped his man and only had the goalie to beat but their keeper made amends for two first half mistakes to palm Joe’s shot to safety. Big Joe, Eoin and Jose were killing down the left side with Gibbsy, marking their number four out of the first half. Matty was knocking all balls down to his back 4 and whatever he didn’t win Jonathan and Curt were on hand to clear.
The Rovers half time talk centered around keeping it tight at the back. Of course, inside of 5 minutes PSC won a fee kick in a dangerous spot. The ball was driven in low and hard and the Rovers defense failed to clear it. The ball ended up at the back post where Lino was on hand to beat place the ball around Ben. The game was back on. This was Rovers worst spell of the match. The ball was not being held up and the Rovers just kept conceding possession. PSC’s number 4 went on a great run going around 5 Rovers players only Ben to make a marvelous save. Moments later Jonathan was pushed off the ball in the box and the ref went to call a foul but waived play on. Ben needed to make another outstanding stop to keep the game level.
PSC again cursed those missed chances when Bryce finished them off after Brodie sent him away from 40 yards. Bryce had only the keeper to beat and he took a beating for his work but at 3-1 the game was truly over. The defense was crunching their opponents and the Rovers were clearly winning the midfield battle. The Rovers fourth goal was a thing of beauty and one of the best goals Rovers have scored in ages. About 8 first time passes, including Jose, Eoin, Mark and Jose, worked the ball up the line for Big Joe to slot in his first Rovers career goal. Little Joe made it 5 but was judged to have handled it. Lawton had a shot that was well saved by the keeper as the Rovers were looking to pile it on but the final result read 4-1 to Rovers and that was pretty fair reflection of the match. PSC will be not an easy game for the Rovers at their field.
MOM; it’s always good when the choice is hard as many players qualified. Jonathan for his non-stop effort in the back. Big Joe for his influence down the left. Bryce for his two-goal performance. But my vote was to the man who pulled all the strings and settled Rovers down. Jose Angel Rodriquez was marvelous.
REF: Average. Linesman: Below Average. She got no help and it showed. She was nervous in her calls at times and clearly contradicted herself with the offside’s law. How she let 20 stay on the field is something only she knows but she did get manage to keep control of the game. Her linesman were pretty poor
Field: Massive as always
Pub: Fun, two free pitchers of Stella is always good
Quote of the Day: Little Joe - "Your pissing on my fire" to the ref after she consulted with the linesman to disallow Joe’s debut goal.
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