Rovers 0 SSF 0

Picking out a goal of the year candidate at the Rovers end of the season party will not be to difficult if the season continues in this vain. The survey house that collects the goal of the season data won't need to make a list of all the goals scored as everyone will have committed each goal to memory for there as been so few scored this season.
This weekend result, a 0-0 tussle with SSF showed over the Rover's strength's and weaknesses. The Rover's back 5 was very solid, Joe, Jonathan, Eric and Curt all had very solid defensive games with Ben excelling in the goal with two fantastic saves. The back five was well protected by GIbbs but the Rovers just got not get going offensively. Sure the Rovers created some fantastic opportunities in this match, but on most occasions they failed to get the shot on target. The best chance of the opening exchanges fell to Brodie, who could not score in a brother at the moment. Brodie's cross found the hand of a SSF player and the ref actually got one right as he gave the Rovers a free kick just outside the box. The Rovers actually mixed i tup a bit and let Curt have a shot. His daisy cutter deflected off the wall and it hit the keeper. The bouncing ball fell to Brodie who should have made some contact with the ball but he whiffed. He did regain control and knock it back to Gibbsy's feet who shot over with his shin, the ball taking a horrible bounce on the way. The next Rovers chance fell to Jose, Curt played a perfect ball over the top of the SSF defense. With the goalie charging out Jose only had to lift the ball over the keeper but his left was well wide of the target.
Paulie was introduced after 25 minutes for Nigel and this galvanized the Rovers attack. SSF struggled to live Paulie's movement across the backline. Paulie got the ball down the right side and played a clever ball to Jose. Jose was first to the stop, the SSF defender clattered through Jose's legs, the lino put his flag up..the ref waived play on. Horrific decision from my view point.
SSF were not with out chances. Erik and John made some fantastic challenges while Joe snuffed out a two on one with a fantastic goal saving tackle. Joe is having a good season.
Rovers went into the break 0-0 but were the superior team. The second half did not have the required results as SSF came more into the game and had the better chances. The Rovers best chances were from Paulie's corner's with Jon R missing a great chance on goal with a header. Jose had another good opportunity to play in Paulie but his he held on to it to long. Ben was quick off his line moments later as SSF caught the Rovers on the counter attack, somehow the SSF player passed his shot wide of the target.
With the clock ticking down Brodie held on to the ball far to long again after a 30 yard run..he should have played in the ex-gaffer. Ben then made a fantastic save to tip away a last minute shot. The ref signalled 3 minutes of injury time and two fantastic chances were still ahead. In minute 92 the ref said Curt obstructed a player in the box, awarding a free kick 12 yards from goal,on the side. The chip found an un marked player at the back post, but he whiffed. Brodie played a long ball to Paulie who flicked it over to Bryce. With the clock ticking down Bryce was on the move but the SSF defender made a last second one on one tackle to prevent a clear goal scoring opportunity.
MOM: Ben again, made some fantastic saves and his distribution (minus one kick) was great; honorable mention to Little Joe
Pitch: very poor, bumpy and did not do the Rovers any favors
Ref: the linesman were decent but the ref was shite