Unlike the Firsts who have lost 3 of 4 one goal matches, the Reserves have now won 3 of their 4 such encounters, Sundays top of the table clash included. That is the difference between being marred in mid-table and reigning at the top of the league.
Even going behind 0-1 against the run of play at half time did not deter the Reserves. They started the 2nd half with fervor and determination. They continue to carry the play and outwork CPR. They swarmed the ball and never allowed CPR to stroke passes in the Rover half.
The Reserves played possession football through out and when the ball came around to Dixon early in the 2nd half, he passed to Fergie who found Alfonzo. A quick one two and he put a fine cross in the middle of the box where Lexi out jumped, hanged and directed his header to the far post. The CPR keeper had no chance. Rovers 1-1.
The Reserves continued to dominate and stroke the ball around. A ball was played to Lexi showing with his back to the goal. As he controlled and turned he was mauled down by the last CPR defender in or around the 18teen. The ref gave a direct free kick. As, Saunders, Lexi and Stavros deliberated as to whom was to take it, the wall was set in such a way that clearly favored a left-footer, and when the keeper placed himself on the right of the wall, it was a no-brainer. Stavros stepped up curled it over the left of the wall and just inside the upper left. Rovers 2-1.
For the last 20, the Rovers simply shut down the match, displaying un-Rover like maturity. They lowered tempo, closed down all space in the midfield and let CPR hit long ball after long ball that the Rover back line gobbled up.
The Reserves are good value for their league position.
Team: Mike Zawada, Dixon Hayes, Mike Alexander, Fegie Ferguson, Mark Bobby Hanifin Kushemba, Alex Carabano, Stavros Zomopoulos, Alfonzo Nanclares, John Saunders, Lexi Schardt, Shadi Shahrokhi Subs: (all played) Jerome Albertini, Stash Rutkowski
0 comments:
Post a Comment