After last week’s improved performance, Kirk was able to field yet again an unchanged team with the one exception of the introduction of James into midfield along with Bart. Conditions deteriorated in the pre\;match warm up, with wind and rain , and to add that Chadwick were waiting for players , the kick-off was delayed until 10:40. As everyone was wet and cold this was going to be a test of character of the Rovers players.
Chadwick beat us earlier in the season that along with the draw last year that saw us miss out on promotion, seemed to think that they were going to inflict a similar result on us. How Wrong, Rovers started straight from the blocks today and everyone to a man raised their game and quickly dominated the match in all area’s in the early stages. Early chances were plenty and Rovers should have been up early on, Kevin for once having a header cleared off the opposition goaline was just one of the many chances. Chadwick tried their best but were not allowed and real scoring opportunities , the closest they came in the first 20 mins was from the foot of Kevin , whose interception saw the ball fly past the outside of the goalpost for a change , it seems that mid-week training maybe having some positive effect.
The deadlock was however broke on the 20 minute mark when a fast and flowing move involving Ian and Alex produced a ball for Jay coming in from the right struck his shot past a stranded keeper.
Our injury problems returned on the 21st minute when ‘pyscho wilko’ had to be replaced by Rob, Nick stating that his hamstring appeared to have been replaced by a large tennis ball.
On the 24th minute against all run of play Chadwick were back on level terms when Skid decided he wanted to take Kevs crown as the Own Goal King struck a fearsome shot past Craig when trying to intercept. The remainder of the half continued in the same vain with Rovers attacking Chadwick in waves, with no real response from what was a good Chadwick line-up.
Half-Time 1-1
The second half kicked off with the perfect start for Rovers , the ball was played swiftly up the slope via Bart and Lee , eventually reaching Alex and Ian on the edge of the box, they then decided to imitate the ‘Chuckle Bros’ by playing a routine of ‘too me to you ‘ passing. We were all baffled on the line so I’ve no idea what the Chadwick defenders thought, but eventually Ian drove the ball into the corner of the net. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Chadwick, Rovers were in complete control. Lee, Jay, Alex and Ian were giving Chadwick a lesson in swift attacking football, whilst Bart and James battled away tirelessly to prevent Chadwick developing any meaningful attacks. Any attacks that were created were dealt with by Adey, Kev, Skid and Rob, giving Craig, who had been suffering all week with flu a relatively easy day.
After assisting in the first two goals Alex got on the score sheet on the 48th minute , when s powerful and accurate free kick was driven in by Lee , the keeper could not hold the ball and Alex was their to turn in the loose ball.
Skid made amends for his own goal on the 58th minute, with a most bizarre goal. Bart struck and powerful shot from outside the box beating the keeper but striking the crossbar, in the ensuing scramble Skid found himself on his backside 3 yds from goal, the ball spilled out towards the left of the box and Alex came running in to attack the ball, during the tussle to get the ball with a Chadwick defender the ball found itself being crossed towards Skid who whilst still sitting lifted his head and directed the ball into the net. Appeals for an offside were overruled by the referee and the goal stood. Alex insisted he crossed towards Skid and got the assist, bit dubious I thought.
Rovers were now having a field day and were tearing Chadwick apart. Another fine team move and lay off from Alex saw Bart get on the score sheet on 65 minutes, with a shot from outside the box.
After 73 minutes, Jason made his appearance by replacing Jay who had played a great part in this dynamic performance.
Then a raised stud tackle on Bart on 80 minutes, saw him replaced by Jake.
Jake was unlucky not open his account when he hit a sweet powerful volley on the edge of the box , the Chadwick keeper did well to keep it out , the ball fell however to Lee , who having had a great game was unable to turn the ball into the net. All agreed that if he had been in a brothel for the duration of this match, he would have been a very frustrated customer with the number failed attempts he’d had at scoring throughout the game.
The game finished on a perfect note when Man of the Match: Ian completed another fine team move on the 90th minute with another fine strike to make it 6.
A truly commanding and controlled performance showed what the Rovers are really capable of. Chadwick a good team were meant to look very ordinary.
Our performances have been improving and we are getting back to our level of last year and I think we can be even better. We must continue to improve and believe in ourselves, the confidence is returning, however we must not relax on this one performance, the season is long and we’ve just started it now.
Well done everyone, this includes the substitutes, and a thank you to the supporters who have come along to watch us in not very pleasant conditions. Great Result
