Back to the league this week and Ettington's trip to Radford Albion gave them a chance to close the gap at the top of the table.
On Wednesday, Waller held a players meeting to discuss the lack of performance in recent weeks; and having addressed the problems, the lads could look forward with some optimism to today's game.
Another bad week for the injury list, which seems to be growing at a quicker rate than Jack's beanstalk, saw changes to the line-up. Kevin Lawrence (groin) joining brother Craig (knee) on the list, also, Jackson (headache), Milloy (fearing the cold weather may bring about pneumonia) and Wilkins (Bryan) on holiday.
Mark Taylor (lack of vision in the left eye) and Bartels joined Pearce on the bench, as Waller preferred himself in between the sticks. The return of Thompson meant Beaty returned to left back, Emerson in for Lawrence (K) at right back. Dodds and Brown flanking Law and Wilkins (N), and Patton in up front with Pitts for his first start of the season (and not before time).
Both sides started brightly and Ettington sprayed balls out to the wide men and finally looked to be playing the kind o football the Rovers' faithful have come to expect. Radford, with a youthful forward line also played the ball wide and with pace. Early indications were that the fans were in for a football treat. Albion had two early corners; both of which were dealt with and Rovers looked the more settled of the two sides. Then, on 8 minutes, disaster struck. An attack down the Albion left resulted in a good low cross driven into the box between goalkeeper and defenders. A lack of communication saw Beaty stretch out his right boot only to turn the ball into his own net.
Ettington didn't let the heads drop and went straight on the front foot and created chances for Pitts and Patton. Unfortunate to be one goal down, Rovers' luck was not about to change as another Radford attack saw a mishit cross/shot take an ugly deflection off an unknowing Wright and nestle in the bottom corner of the net giving a sprawling Waller no chance for the second time in ten minutes (13).
Once more, Ettington didn't let the disappointment get to them and Law, driving his team forward, chipped a speculative effort from the edge of the box just inches wide, with the keeper scrambling across his goal in vain.
As Rovers tried to fight their way back, they were dealt yet another blow hen after 25 minutes Emerson got his studs caught in the turf and turn his ankle. After a lengthy delay, he was substituted with a suspected broken ankle. More changes ensued with Wilkins (N) filling the gap at right back and Bartels coming into the middle.
On 40 minutes, and with Ettington searching to get something to take into the break, it was Albion that counter-attacked; this time down the Rovers' left and Waller found himself 1 on 1 at the edge of his box. Parrying the first attempt and with defenders back to help, the danger looked to have passed but with Waller back-pedalling toward his goal, an ambitious chip from outside the area found itself sail into the top corner. Half time and Ettington 3-0 down but deserving more from the game.
The 2nd half started with Ettington forcing early corners, only for Beaty to waste the opportunity to get the ball into the box, slicing most straight out for a goal kick. Albion went forward with purpose hoping to increase the lead still further, but the Rovers’ back four held firm, communicating well and shut out any chances, leaving Waller a spectator for large parts of the second half.
Just past the hour mark Wilkins (N), having had a solid game, made way for the one eyed Taylor (M). With both defences snuffing out the strikers, it was left to a hopeful lobbed ball forward from Thompson down the middle of the pitch and with Law reacting faster and shoeing more determination to reach the ball than the Albion centre-backs, he stole in to head past an advancing keeper (73). A much-deserved goal for man-of-the-match Law, making it three in three games.
The remaining 20 minutes had both sides battling hard and chances were being spurned at both ends, whilst it was Ettington having the better of them. In the dying minutes the clearest chance fell to Pitts, from probably the only successful corner to reach the penalty spot, but again the effort was scrambled off the line.
At last Ettington can be happy with the performance, and more importantly the communication, which has been so lacking recently. They can also count themselves very unlucky as Rovers deserved at least a draw away to a Radford side that were by no means two goals the better side on the day.
