U14 Rovers first game of the season was certainly eventful.
A total of six new players to add to last year’s squad as well
as new coaches with new philosophies meant the boys would clearly need
time to gel. The undoubted question was, could they deliver? The answer
was an emphatic yes.
The
Rovers began on the front foot, controlling possession and creating
plenty of half chances without quite testing the opposition keeper.
Tigers defended well and were able to just about prevent any clear cut
chances whilst creating no concerns for Rovers’ defence. Then, the
sucker punch, a left wing cross along the ground evaded all of our
defenders and keeper leaving a tigers player with a fairly simple pass
finish with their first shot on goal. Half time: Tigers 1 Rovers 0.
Did
the boys let this affect them? Not a bit of it. In truth the game
continued in the same manner with Sam F and Lucas C dominating the
midfield. Some silky skills from Kam F down the right wing finally
brought the penetration we had needed and after several shots in the box
, Sam F finished with aplomb. The next 10 minutes saw Rovers camped in
Tigers half through an added speed of passing and excellent link up play
in particular between Harrison and Ajay.
Unfortunately
that spell of dominance did not yield the goal that Rovers’
enterprising play richly deserved. A slight lack of sharpness and final
decision making would ultimately prove costly. Tigers’ game plan had to
be knocking a long ball to their forwards and seeing what they could do.
The answer was a superb strike (their second shot on goal) which hit he
underside of the crossbar and then post. Despite our defences
protestations the referee awarded a goal ruling the ball had crossed the
line. Sadly no goal line technology was available and the boys deserve
great credit in accepting the decision and not letting their heads go
down. Tigers scored a third shortly afterwards and the game was gone.
Final score Tigers 3 Rovers 1.
All in all an
excellent performance from the boys and whilst the result didn’t go our
way there was a lot of fantastic football played with a superb attitude
shown by every single player. A fantastic effort boys and a great start
to the season.
