Rovers II Match Report

League match
Sunday	2013-03-24	09:00
FC Hellas Monachou München II	2 (0) - 2 (1)	Rovers II
Manager: Greg Sach

Re: 24th March 2013 - Latino Munich SV v Rovers I, FC Hellas Monachou M?nchen II v Rovers II
March 25, 2013, 01:25:41 PM by Greg Sach

Felix
Donald Richard Matt Basti
Jonny Paul Ludwig Derek
Akin Gav

HT: 1-0 for the Rovers
Subs: Bernard for Derek, Ljang for Donald, Vinny for Ludwig
Captain: Paul
Kit: Gav
Final score:2-2
Goals: Gav, Richard
Manager: Greg Sach
Supporters: Ronnie, Bernard's brother

Rovers II created a number of good chances in the first half before the first goal.? Gav and Akin were dominating Hellas II back line with constant movement, pace and power.? It was speculated before the game that these two haven't played together for close to a decade, but the intervening years didn't seem to matter (for 45 minutes at least).? Jonny colton too was terrorising the big greek 14 and it was from his cross that our first really good opening came, with the Hellas defence back pedalling and unable to reach the ball to the back post.? Unfortunately it was a little too high for Akin too.?

Baralloo was subbed out early for Bernie.? Baralloo protested that he had only had 3 masses of starkbier, but the manager for the day took that as a confession of having had 11 beers in real money.? Bernie made an immediate impact with some fine dribbling and good passes.? One such pass split the Hellas defence between full back and centre back for Akin, ever willling, charge on to it.? Akin then, to my mind, astonishingly squared the ball, instead of shooting, to the on rushing Gavin to stroke home.? An excellent goal and a deserved lead.?

The half time message was to keep playing in the same manner and the goals will come.?

The Greeks were a much improved outfit after the break.? A couple of substutions helped, with their number 16 clearly plucked from the upper echelons.? Losing Gavin just after half time to a hamstring injury also swung the balance somewhat.? Li Lijang was given the task of keeping number 16 checked and he did it very well, in an unfamiliar position.? Nonetheless, one forage from the number 16 resulted in a bit of confusion in the Rovers backline leading to a Hellas corner.? The corner was swung in and they scored a poxy equaliser from a header.

The game was much more even in the second half, with both teams attacking effectively.? Rovers again got their noses in front when an inswinging freekick from Proudfoot made its way to Quill, who waited an age for it to drop from the sky before chalking his cue and stroking into the bottom corner.? Quill's celebration was as cool as his finish.?

Hellas equalised shortly after, with Quill raising a leg to control the ball at about waist height.? The Greek attacker bent as low as he could and went down screaming as though booted.? The referree decided on an indirect freekick in the box, not a penalty, presumably in derence to the fact that there was no foul and raising ones foot to waist height is perfectly legal.? The indirect freekick was dispatched very nicely into the bottom corner after a lay off.? No chance for Felix to save.?

The Rovers had some decent attacks before the final whistle in an attempt to get the winner, with very little coming from the Greeks in the final stages.? It wouldn't come, however and the game finished 2-2.

There were 14 excellent performances on show.? I thought Li Lijang did very well in his first game back since a serious knee injury.? Gav and Akin were effervescent in attack.? Proudfoot kept his position very well to shield the back four and sprung a number of attacks from deep.? Bernie made his long awaited return from a series of ankle injuries and showed no signs of rustiness.? Hopefully he can tell work to do one on a Sunday and play more regularly.? Matt Solven lead the back line superbly to limit the Greeks to very few goal scoring opportunites.? Basti one his battle on the left side without exception.?

If I had to choose an MOM, it would go to Ludwig, whose energy levels were incredible, seeming to be in both boxes at all times, defending at one end and instigating attacks at the other.? A great performance.?