Rovers I Match Report

League match
Sunday	2011-11-06	14:30
Rovers I	2 (1) - 1 (1)	FC Wacker München II
Manager: John Herbert

Re: 6th Nov 2011 - Rovers I v FC Wacker M?. II, Rovers II v SV W.-Obermenzing III
November 07, 2011, 03:14:09 PM by Richard Clare

ROVERS I match report

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Passarelli
? ? ? ? ? ?Testori Herbert Cullinan
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Proudfoot (capt)
? ? ? ? Sach Appleton Lingel Meyer
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Rasi McGrath

First subs:
Clare (Rasi)
Reeves (Appleton)

Kit: Sach

Goals:
McGrath
Clare

Rovers I were at home against the high flying Wacker on a sunny November day with a full crowd of B-teamers, the long-term injured, Paul's children, Ben's girlfriends and a photographer (photos are up on the website) in attendance. Ludwig's non-appearance meant a late change to the starting XI, with Marco shunted backwards and Paul missing his opportunity to fill the striking void.

Rovers employed a 'proper' warm-up for a change, and they certainly dominated the start of the game. Rasi, in particular was a handful with his pace, control and pink boots. The chances however were squandered with McGrath heading one wide and missing another with his left peg. Proudfoot had an open goal, but managed to shoot straight at the keeper. The keeper launched it downfield, and it was deflected for a corner by the Rovers. Wacker scored off the corner to take a 1-0 lead. Textbook Rovers.

Rovers responded after another mazy run by Rasi down the right flank beating a couple and laying off for Jesus to coolly slot home. 1-1 at halftime.

Reeves came on at half time for his Rovers' debut, and Clare returned for his 'cameo' comeback. The second half started badly for the Rovers, with Flo underhitting a backpass that was then intercepted by their striker. Flo pulled the striker back by his shirt, which probably saved a goal, but conceded a penalty. Passarelli managed to put the penalty taker off by enough to make him hit the outside of the woodwork.

The game descended with both teams questioning the other's sportsmanship. Wacker seemed to simply steal the ball off a Rovers' free-kick, to which the Rovers replied by not giving the ball back after Wacker had put it out for an injury. One of theirs had a bit to say to the ref, who'd had enough, and dished a yellow - his second - meaning it was now 11 on 10.

From an attacking throw-in, Appleton dummied the long throw, went short to Flo, who fed it into the corner for Appleton to put in a perfect cross for Clare to volley in at the back post. Also textbook Rovers. The cross was possibly going in anyway, but best to make sure in such situations.

So 2-1 and a man up with 15 to go, time to shut up shop surely. The ghosts of Grunwalds (et al) past returned, and the Rovers lost control of the game completely, even for a spell against 9 men. Sach had a chance to kill the game, but a good save on the first attempt was met by a left foot over the bar. Rovers did manage to hold on, but those last 10 minutes weren't pretty.