A tough battle with Rovers
15 Feb 2009
but team character shone through
Tandridge League Div B Orpington Rovers 2 vs. Foresters 3
I can only assume Foresters were still heady from their 5-0 win the week before against the same side. What followed was not the same team as last week!
Both teams started brightly but few real chances fell to either team. Rovers chose to hoof the ball a lot and Foresters failed to gain any possession or momentum from the play. The opening 5-10 minutes seemed like a typical Foresters start where they had possession but failed to make an impact. After about 15 minutes the ball fell to Miller who managed to turn and shoot from a very tight angle and the Rovers keeper failed to hold the ball. A great goal Miller! A few more chances fell narrowly wide or just over and one great effort clipped the post before running away. Shortly before the half ended the ball again fell on a tight angle but razor managed to connect sweetly with his left peg to slot in his first and Foresters 2nd. The half ended 2-0
The second half kick off was a complete cock up and the boys clearly had no plan B and Rovers nearly scored from their kick off! Despite being told otherwise Foresters still did not maintain any proper control of the ball, their passing or the game ahead of them and midfield dropped further into retreat. Rovers claimed a goal from a dubious free kick but a partisan crowd and referee probably saw something we didn’t. None the less their tails were up and Rovers continued to push on while Foresters still lacked placing their mark on the game. Soon enough a great effort saw Rovers draw level and at 2-2 there was little time left.
A change in attacking and midfield positions left Miller in the left midfield and Liam upfront. Was it then by chance or fluke that a well fought for ball from Luke and then a great pass to Liam ended in a great shot and goal from him? No! This is what Foresters should have done the entire game, simple pass and move and finish when you can. It eluded them.
Overall Foresters showed great character to come from 2-2 and a Rovers revival to clinch the well earned win. However the team must learn from this and get stuck in more, control the high ball on the chest more, and finally pass and move more. We know they can do it, but do they believe they can do it?
Team: K Hounsell, J Brisley, S Cook, J Smith, L Edwards, L Eldridge, M Grice, J Finch