Rovers 3 Maritimo 1

The Rovers finally returned to winning ways with a good display back on their home field of De Anza. Unbelievably after 20 minutes played the Rovers found themselves 1-0 down after dominating the intial stages of the match. Bryce and Paulie were chosen to lead the line after Seamus pulled another Darren Anderton. The Rovers opted to play 5 across the middle, Brodie losing out in the middle of the park with the return of Jose. Apparently Gibbsy thought he would utilize Brodie's speed as a wing back. Big Joe arrived on time and commanded the left wing back role with Lawton and Gibbsy partnering Jose. The back 3 had Jed returning to partner Matty and Jon, so overall not a bad line-up.

The Rovers had some great chances to take the lead, most of which came from Bryce. His intellegient pull backs and runs were causing Maritimo's slow of foot defense problems. Paulie had two half chances to score after the ball was being pinged around in the box, but his efforts lacked enough punch to trouble the keeper. Jose was pulling the strings per usual but the Rovers failed to capitlize. They were hit with a sucker punch has Matty's header took a poor deflection as it bounced directly to a Maritimo player who thrased the ball past KC to make it 1-0. The Rovers couldnt' believe it and the biggest worry at this point was that their heads would drop, given their 4 game losing streak.

However they continued to pass the ball around and get stuck in the middle of the park. The equalizer came when Paulie was judged to have been fouled in the box. It sounded it a bit worse then it was but the same player made no mistake from the spot with a kick down the middle. The Rovers continued to press and they took advantage of their height advantage when manager Gibbsy whipped in a corner kick to find Matty at the back post. His bullet header found the roof of the net and the Rovers were in charge. Lawton, Jon and Matty were doing a great job of winning the 50/50 balls, Lawton going on a great run that saw his pass just intercepted at the last moment. It would have been a killer ball to Paulie. More dominate pressure found the Rovers score from another set piece as Bryce bundled in Big Joe's inswinging corner kick. Gibbsy went close himself witha fierce drive that keeper did well to save from a free-kick.The Rovers went into the break winning 3-1.

The next 25 minutes of the 2nd half were madness. The Rovers, instead of playing it simple, starting hoofing the ball upfield. Maritimo looked lively and were well up for it. Jed making a couple of key interceptions. The game was in the balance at this point as a Maritimo goal would have given them the momentum to get back in the match. A rare Rovers break during this period found Ben on goal, after a great ball by Big Joe. Ben's left footed effort went just wide.

Finally after 70 minutes the Rovers settled down and started passing it around a tired Maritimo. The Rovers had two great chances to kill the game off after Brodie played in Paulie both times. One of his efforst was foiled by the keeper, the other was placed just wide. Paulie was also set free just inside his own half but the distance of his run and the chasing defenders did just enough to put him off. On another day he would have had a hatrick. Big Joe also created a couple of great chances for himself in the box, only for his efforts to go just wide.

In the end it was a desrved 3 points.

Man of the Match: Jed, the Rovers are a different team when he plays. Honarable mention to go Matty for getting on the score sheet.

Pitch. Huge but benefited the Rovers in this game

Ref: Very good

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