After 3 weeks without a game, Rovers were finally in action again on Thursday night, when they made their first ever visit to Ram Meadow to meet bogey side, Wickhambrook FC, in the League 2 Cup Final.
A great turn out by supporters of both sides made for a great atmosphere as both sides took to the field with Rovers searching for the first piece of silverware in their history.
Whether it was the occasion that got to them or whether it was just a result of not playing for 3 weeks, Rovers started the game very much off the pace as Wickhambrook made all of the early running and had the Whites on the back foot for most of the opening 30 mins.
Despite all of the pressure and possession Wickhambrook had early on, they were unable to make the breakthrough against the nervy Whites, although they did come very close on a couple of occasions.
Rovers were dealt a blow 20 minutes into the match when skipper, Justin McKenzie had to leave the field with a very nasty eye injury after clashing heads when going up for a header, following a rare Rovers expedition into the Wickhambrook area. Rob Green came into the back four as the Whites were forced to reshuffle.
As the minutes ticked by though, Rovers became more and more settled and the game became a more even affair. As Rovers tightened up and settled down, they began to stifle their opponents advances and the chances at both ends began to dry up leaving the 2 sides level at 0-0 as the half time whistle blew.
Boss, Paul Jeavons was disappointed with his side's first half performance, especially the opening 30 minutes, but stressed to his side that at 0-0 they were still very much in the game and that if they raised their game a little and concentrated on doing the basics well, that they would be more than a match for their, so far, dominant opponents.
Rovers new found positivity was unfortunately dashed, soon after the restart, when Scott Glacken in the Rovers' goal tried to deal with an attempted lob from the edge of the area but unfortunately could not get enough on the ball to tip it over the crossbar and instead pushed it onto the head of the advancing Wickhambrook striker who had the easy task of heading home from a yard out.
Within a couple of minutes, a shell shocked Rovers found themselves 2 down when a great solo run and shot into the far corner of Glacken's net, saw several Rovers' players left looking silly and knowing they should have done better, as Wickhambrook took a firm hold of the League 2 Cup Final.
The goals prompted Paul Jeavons into making 2 changes to the squad, bringing on both striker Andrew Clarke and midfielder Ryan Maxwell, in an attempt to find a way back into the tie. He also changed the way the side was lined up, going from the usual 4-4-2 formation to playing only 3 at the back, as the Whites went chasing the game.
The changes seemed to have the desired effect as Rovers finally woke up in the second half and began to create a few good chances
Their spell of pressure was rewarded with 20 minutes remaining, when a lovely floated ball by Ross Booty was headed past the onrushing Wickhambrook keeper by substitute Andrew Clarke, giving Rovers renewed hope of getting their hands on the trophy.
The goal seemed to rock Wickhambrook as the game swung Rovers way and the Whites became as dominant late on, as their opponents had been at the beginning of the match.
Rovers' cause was helped with 10 minutes left, when Wickhambrook were reduced to 10 men following an off the ball incident. Man of the match, Wayne Pottle, was excellently denied by the Wickhambrook keeper after he pushed over the defender's fierce drive from the resulting free kick.
The whites thought they had squared things up with only a few minutes remaining, when Dave Clarke headed home from close range following a lovely floated cross from brother Andrew, only to have their hopes dashed when the effort was ruled out for offside.
Despite all their late pressure and their numerical advantage, Wickhambrook were able to hold on and again get the better of Rovers, as they got their hands on the League 2 Cup.
A disappointed Rovers can be proud of the way they played their part in a full bloodied cup final, especially second half and they will now look to switch their attention back to their hunt for promotion, when they face Black Boy FC in League 2 action at the Heath on Saturday.
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