Sat 2nd of March Rovers hosted another league match played at Eaglesham against high flying Parklife. The last encounter was an entertaining game with both side showing good quality in possession of the ball and today was no different. Parklife lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation and the quality of football from both side during the 1st half was very good as both teams were attacking at every opportunity. Both lead strikers held the ball up well with good support from both wide areas and central midfield, unfortunately Rovers could not find an answer to the Parklife Central midfield number 8 during the game as time and time again he managed to find space in the middle of the park and in particular in the Rovers final 3rd, this caused lot of problems for the Rovers. On 18 minutes the deadlock was broken with a poorly defended corner, the ball was curled deep into the box and MacGregor did not attack the ball well enough in the back zonal position, the ball fell to the feet of the Parklife support striker in the box and he tucked the ball away leaving Christy no chance. Both rovers and Parklife created good chances however both keepers were in excellent form however Rovers managed to get an equaliser on 35 minutes. Clancy and Santi switched wings and shortly after Santi beat the Parklife RB squared the ball to Graham who made a late run into the box, he shoots into the bottom right hand corner the keeper made a great save but the ball spilled out to the back post where Clancy came in off the right wing to tuck home, 1-1. Despite the Rovers possession and good build up play they struggled to penetrate in behind the Parklife back 4, the 1st half finished 1-1. Rovers started the 2nd half very well and some good build up play in the middle of the park from Conetta, Graham and Santi, Graham managed to slip a ball in behind the Parklife back 4 for Veitch to run onto, as he stretched for the ball he did not strike with enough power or accuracy and the Parklife keeper made a simple save. On 65 minutes Tait made 2 changes an an attempt to force a positive result that the Rovers desperately needed after recent league results, Anderson replaced Donaghy seeing MacGregor move to CB and Gallagher move to LB as Anderson played in the DCM position. Martin Clancy replaced brother David at LM. The changes unsettled the Rovers and on 72 minutes Parklife hit Rovers on the counter attack from their goal kick. The Parklife CB played a long ball over the Rovers defence, the Rovers back 4 lost its shape and Parklife exploited the gaps with a great cross filed pass from right to left, Lyons burst a lung from RB to make up for being out of position and managed to make a last ditch slide challenge to block the Parklife strikers shot, Christie also rushed out to block the shot, unfortunately the Parklife number 8 broke forward from CM, his run was not tracked and he was left with a tap in from the rebound, 2-1 Parklife. McKenzie replaced Conetta on 79 minutes then on 80 Minutes MaGregor picked up a booking for a professional foul. Rovers were throwing bodies forward to try and salvage a point and Parklife hit on the counter, MacGregor pulled the CF back as he ran through, Barnes had the run covered which topped the ref showing a RED card. Fresh legs were added for the final 5 minutes as Lyons was replaced by Martin and Veitch was replaced by Mauchan. On 90 minutes Parklife picked up a Yellow card for Descent as the game finished 2-1 and Rovers slip further down the table. Tait has to take responsibility for the defeat as the changed disrupted the flow and balance of the team creating individual errors, these errors contributed to the goals and untimely the defeat. Unfortunately Rovers could not handle the Parklife number 8 and with their keeper having another excellent match Rovers see another 3 points slip through their fingers.
