Reserves match report by Nick Vince

After last week's beating of Strathfield it was time for Rovers to reconvene for a home game against Wanderers which always promises to be a feisty but well fought affair. Again Rovers struggled for players not only due to injury but players also wishing to see a little more of Australia on their one year jaunt. Also struggling to cope at the moment are the pitches and your reporter wasn't surprised to see both Rovers and Wanderers players pacing a few pitches to see which one would give the game the most benefit. All resembled Wembley in its current state.

Rovers players casually arrived and 11 players managed to take the field for the local derby. Stew Shaw again doubled up in goal and the usual back four of Nick, Ricky, Erin and Woody awaited the Wanderers forwards. In midfield Rich staggered onto the field after being asked to leave a favoured drinking hole at 5am (you think Newcastle Utd have issues) and was joined by Matt, Gareth and Kristian. Again, Steve and Tony were reunited up front. Rovers started off very brightly playing some excellent football through the middle. Gareth especially commanded the center of midfield with Rich snapping at a few heels. Some long balls from the back found our target men and produced testing shots for a not too hot keeper. Soon corners were given Rovers way and your reporter took aim and fired only for Wanderers to somehow keep the ball out of the net several times. Wanderers took the lead through one of only a handful of mistakes which Stew makes in a whole season. A really non-threatening shot was fumbled and literally trickled across the line. Rovers' heads stayed up and in true fashion kept working. Tony Unsworth levelled for Rovers and it should have been more.

After half-time Rovers have been vulnerable in earlier matches but we seemed to be a lot more switched on. However Wanderers scored another midway through the second half whilst Rovers struggled to create second half chances. Myself, having played whilst being injured, had to be replaced by Jeff who again lit up the park, taking the oppostition on and linking well with another sub Rob (dont ask for a pass) Liney who levelled the match from the penalty spot. A just reward considering the triple salko, double shevchenko of the Wanderers forward who had earlier gained a penalty for the opposition. As the rain started to flow the game meandered into a well deserved draw. Despite dwindling resources Rovers still know how to fight. Matt Linton especially given his "Weight" always runs and runs and will soon be a svelte size 16 keeping this level up. Rich oozed alcohol and Kristian oozed ... well, he just oozed. Steve would have oozed but fortunately his girdle holds it all in.

All in all, a fine display. A better display than our ugly mugs on the website. A friend of mine Kimberly wanted to take a look at who plays for our team as she is a single girl looking for love. She looked for 5 seconds before switching to a more preferable picture of the Elephant Man. 2-2.

Goals: Rob Liney, Jeff See
Pele Points: 2 - Gareth Williams, Tony Unsworth, 1 - Mark Wootton, Matt Linton

No Firsts match report

Weather: overcast, some light rain. Pitch: poor, getting worse. Half-time: 2-3. Full-time: 2-5.

Goals: Martyn Farnworth, Rob Liney
Pele Points: 3 - Marshall Moir, 2 - Pete Boyle, 1 - Rich Briscoe

Match report by Jeff See

A packed hill greeted the Rovers for this away Cup tie at Easton Park. Having snatched a late equaliser against the same opponents two days previously, we knew we were in for a tough game. Especially with half the squad cup-tied, leaving us with the bare minimum as well as a makeshift goalkeeper in Brendan. The game started as ours usually do, from a kick off, after which neither team really managed to stamp their authority on the game. The game continued on in this vein and a couple of half chances later, it was half-time, and we were still deadlocked at zero, thanks in large part to the back four of Matt, Erin, Jim and Wootty, as well as some great punches from Brendan.

The second half started in the same manner as the first, but the Rovers slowly took control of the midfield, with Dom and Stubbsy in particular carving them up down the flanks, but we couldn't quite find that killer touch. Stubbsy put in a cross that would have been a great shot were it a couple of yards across. Despite this dominance, the Wanderers were still creating chances, and it took a great diving, one handed save from Brendan to keep us level. We were still on top though, and Tony, Steve, Stubbsy and Dom all had chances to put us ahead. However, just as it looked like we were destined for extra time, against the run of play, a Wanderers player fell (somewhat) theatrically in the box. Penalty and 1-0, despite Brendan's best attempts. With only 5 minutes left, we had to push forward in search of an equaliser, and we had chances, Tony just missing an open goal from about 35 yards out. But Stubbsy came the closest, doing well to get his studs to a cross, but failing to get enough on it. In the end, it wasn't enough, and the Reserves joined the Firsts in being out of the Cup. 0-1.

Goals: nil
Pele Points: 3 - Brendan Coutts, 2 - Dominic Salomini, 1 - Mike Stubbs