G&S went in to this game with their own destiny firmly in their own hands! On a cold, used pitch @ Meridian they knew a win would guarantee promotion & take them a step closer to the title.
Lessa, a good battling unit undeservedly so near the bottom of the table, were in the mood to spoil the party & it so nearly happened!
The game started well with the Blues dominant but indecisive. Nerves were settled however on 10 minutes when a good move saw TJ fire home from inside the area from Russ' centre for 1-0.
Rich nearly made it 2 on 28 with a rasping free kick that clipped the bar - very unlucky from the midfield dynamo!
More chances went a begging & Rovers nearly paid the ultimate cost. James was undone by the small forward on the half hour, before falling & being very harshly adjudged to have handled just inside the box. Penalty!
The tension rose as it was striker v keeper in a duel to the death. One v one, mano a mano, matador versus the bull, David v Goliath! The orange man coolly strode up, placed the ball on the spot giving nothing away from his steelly stare. Keeper Keith had his heart in his mouth & they could hear his heart pounding in the stands. The largest attendance of the season was there as witness to the contest, playing itself out like a Shakespearian classic! Encouragement from his team mates was heard, but Keith knew he was his own man & could only rely on his own skills (honed over decades on the parks & pitches of Southern England) & his cat like reactions. Back stepped The Lessa hitman, Keith crouched staring alertly at the ball. The ball was struck....firmly...Keith followed it like a hawk...he dived full length to his left like a panther...the ball was repelled! SAVE! Luke was deadly in blocking the follow up & it stayed 1-0. Will G&S learn from this let off?!?
Just before half time a good move from the engine room saw Rich link with his buddy Alex. Al coolly moved forward & delightfully chipped the keeper to see the ball nestle in the back of the onion bag.
Soon after James was so unlucky to see his header clip the bar as he rose like a salmon from a corner.
Half time & all seemed well, but could have been worse, but certainly should have been better. This was getting to be a regular weekly occurrence i'm afraid.
A period of play then happened as Lessa found themselves on top & in the driving seat. Sloppy play, silly, needless free kicks & resting on laurels could have been devastating to the Rovers bandwagon.
It was 3-2 in what seemed like a few minutes as poor defending from a direct freekick, numerous attacks & the centre halfs being outjumped by the smallest player on the pitch.
Hearts sank & a sickening feeling washed through the squad & supporters. What had happened & what was going on?! Captain marvel Luca was brought on to sure up a tiring back 4 (had the Blues paid for him not starting because of other commitments - don't let that happen again please mate!! :-).
Game on now & it was all out attack for G&S, but Lessa were no mugs & had nearly every man behind the ball.
It looked like it was going to be a disastrous day but resolutely Rovers continued to press. With time running out Shaun, who had come on to bolster the attack with fresh legs, fought well in a scramble. With his back to goal & the ball heading out of the box, he rose with back to goal & his acrobatic overhead kick weaved it's way through a crowded box, between the keepers legs & over the line. 3-3!
Relief BUT it was not over & 3-3 was NOT good enough!!!
More pressing & Robbie, in as captain for the day, had moved in to acres of space on the left once more. Time & again G&S were repelled. With less than 10 minutes to go Robbie coolly took the ball down in the box. He moved it on to his lethal left & SMASHED it low & hard home for a 4-3 lead. The boys & crowd went beserk with the relief of the let off they had created with the miracle comeback.
Nervous minutes followed, the Blues lifted their game once more & held out for the 3 points.
Promotion guaranteed now, weight was lifted from the shoulders & hands shaken with a battling team in Lessa who had so nearly spoiled the party!
