G&S arrived at a cool Meridian on this Father's Day. This was clearly going to be their toughest test to date in what is still an early life of a fledgling team.
Up against a well drilled New Abbey outfit, undefeated winners of the Eltham Senior division, cup winners and losing finalists in another, Rovers started slowly. With only 3 minutes on the clock the defence was carved open. Robbie should have cleared and Sam probably felt he should have done better as the hooped forward slotted the ball under him from 8 yards. 0-1.
The Blues were under more early pressure but had their own chances. From a Frenchie throw the ball was flicked on and Francis' volley was well saved by the solid Abbey keeper. Mid way through the half Robbie's chip to the far post drifted just wide.
More bedlem in the Blues defence resulted in the red & white hooped Abbey going 0-2 up. Worryingly unchallenged the ball was just hooked back over the onlooking heads, sadly resting in the net.
Swift retorts followed from the boys in Blue. On 30 Francis's chip was just missed by the bubbly Lakey. Then soon after his calm, measured through ball was hit wide by TJ from 6 yards when clear.
Then the breakthrough. This time Joe's clever ball bisected the defence and was blasted home by The Blue's top marksman TJ for 1-2. This sent the man in to raptures along with the crowd.
Rob soon followed 3 minutes later with a good shot, but only 2 minutes later disaster. Again a lack of defensive communication resulted in an easy finish for Abbey and it was 1-3.
Rovers had to reply soon. Chances came and went and TJ was guilty of mising a relatively straight forward chance. The minutes ticked by and with only 60 seconds left of the half the effervescent Lewis put Frenchie in to smash home from inside the box. 2-3, the half time whistle and time for Steve to stick a rocket up the boys.
The team talk seemed to work wonders. With literally seconds on the 2nd half clock, an excellent move down the right should have resulted in a tap in for Francis who had ghosted in to the box. He was head in hands though as his shot hit the keeper and bounced to safety.
The chances were coimg thick and fast now for Rovers. TJ soared like an eagle from a corner on the left, only to see his clean header fly over. Then a period of stalemate for some 20 minutes as it seemed an equaliser would never happen.
75 minutes gone and the game burst in to life. TJ saw the keeper tip over his bullet strike. Minutes later Robbie crashed the ball just over.
Now only 3 minutes remained and Blue's second half dominance deserved more.
Rovers stepped up a further gear. James was in despair as his low drive was cleared off the line. It was pure Bedlem in the Abbey box.
Then ecstasy as the mighty George Wootten finally found his shooting boots after many an effort had sailed wide. He received the ball 10 yards outside the opposition box, looked up and drilled the ball low and hard to the keepers left. The ball nestled in the back of the net like the holy grail!
The now dishevelled looking Abbey lost their swagger. They pushed forward as they could see their proud record in jeopardy. Rovers stood firm, both at the back and in the massively strong midfield. Then the unthinkable. In a move worthy of winning any match a powerful surge from Lewis maturely set up the graceful, yet awesome late run of Francis. He delivered under immense pressure to 'pass' the ball in to the onion bag 'a la' Greavsie. This sent the squad and Blues fans in to a frenzy.
With barely time to kick off again the whistle blew and a hard earned, well deserved victory was theirs.
A fledgling club but if they can keep their feet on the ground maybe big things could be expected of this 'Phoenix' mix of youngsters!
