Looking to build on a very rare clean sheet the previous week, the rovers were a little short defensively and so an attacking formation was set out with a 3-5-2. The game started well with the rovers keeping possession well and knocking the ball about with ease from side to side.
On the half an hour mark Scott Wilson was put through against the last defender with a neat chip from Rich Edwards, but was deemed to be fouled in the box and penalty awarded. Captain Marvel stepped up with the idea of putting the keeper in the back of net, but he managed to sky the ball high over the cross bar. A second missed pen in a row for the normally faultless defender, but surely time to pass on spot kick duty now!!
The rest of half was much the same with a lot of chances being created down the wings due to some great link up play between Dave Willden, Dave Keen, Alex Elliott and Rich Edwards who were awarded the extra freedom in this game, knowing they had the brick wall Shaun Staniforth behind them!
HALF TIME - the half time talk was very simple, more of the same please BUT you must take your chances otherwise you may regret it.
Second half started with Wessex looking to capitalise on the missed chances from the rovers in the first half. It really was a nervy 8 minutes for the Rovers, as Wessex missed a couple of clear cut chances which could have really punished the rovers.
On 55 minutes though, the ball was cleared from defence and picked up by the man who 'pulls all the strings' Dave Willden and he made the perfect pass to put Scott Wilson through on goal. He managed to hold off his man well and slot home for 1-0. Panic over and time to sure up the team and get the win.
The next 20 minutes or so didn't really see any major action points, but it was clear that the team was starting to tire and the shape was lost. On 72 the changes were made and fresh legs brought on with Stephen O'Donnell and Jovan Moody coming on. The rovers were now back into their settled shape and starting to create chances again, with the pace of the subs!
On 82 minutes the final change was made with Lee Munden coming on, being given the simple job of closing everything down to make sure we do not concede. This was simply not good enough for the 'Mighty Munden' as with his first touch he managed to tap the ball home for 2-0 and put the game to bed, after a team move saw Rich feed Stephen in down the line, who was unselfish and pulled it back for the tap in from Lee.
Then on 87 minutes it was time for Lee to shine again, as with his 2nd touch he sent Jovan Moody down the line, who left everyone with his blistering pace and smashed in a screamer from about 25 yards for 3-0. The changes clearly made all the difference in the end and also gave some regular 90 minutes men a needed rest for the big weekend back in the league next week.
Another well done to the Rovers and wow another clean sheet for Deano...his back will be back to normal in no time after a year of constantly bending down getting those balls out of the net.
