SSF 0 Rovers 1

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.