Rovers Thirds 3 - EMC FC 4 (Match Report)

The new Rovers Thirds suffered again from not having a goalie and lost 3-4 against a team they could have easily beaten in different circumstances.

In the worse playing conditions possible, Rovers took the field Sunday morning with Moore on goal, just like last week, in the absence of regular keeper Dainoff, who is recovering from knee surgery. The game started with both teams trying to adjust to the field and most of the time was spent fighting for possession of the ball in midfield. Two almost identical plays happened, one for each team and almost back to back, where a defender tried to clear the ball and ended up shooting against their own goal. EMC's goal keeper was able to get a hand on the ball and avoid the own goal, Rovers were not so lucky. 0-1.
Bernfeld switched to play goalie and Moore moved to sweeper. Rovers were more organized, had more possession of the ball but were not able to create clear chances, as the pitch was playing tricks on them over and over. Towards the end of the half, EMC had a free kick a few yards outside of the box, which was kicked over the wall and on target. Bernfeld tried to punch it out and the ball sneaked in between his arms. 0-2.

The second half saw a more aggressive Rovers side, pushing all lines forward and trying to get back in the game. Finally, a beautifully executed corner kick by Mackers found Moore alone in the box to head the ball in. 1-2. Rovers continued pressuring in the middle as the rain stopped yet the pitch continued to be unplayable. And once again, a free kick from outside of the box by EMC tricked Bernfeld on the bounce. 1-3.
With 15 minutes left in the game, Rovers had complete control of the ball and EMC just waited and played the counterattack strategy. A nice play by Bryans on the right side finished with a nice cross to Kazior, who went up for a header with an EMC defender who, not only fouled Kazior in the air, but also headed to ball in his own goal. Result of the play, penalty for the Rovers since the ref had whistled before the ball went in. Subchart-Anan shot it high and hard and the keeper had no chance. 2-3.
As the Rovers were pushing more and more for the equalizer, a long ball sent from EMC's back line found their sole attacker, who got the ball after a miscommunication between Bernfeld and Schlatter, for the easy tap in. 2-4. Still, Rovers did not give up and quickly scored again on a great play by Kazior who followed up on a Bryans' header that the keeper was unable to control. 3-4 and no more time left.

Rovers Thirds are 1-2 this season, but the three points obtained so far does not really reflect their play, just their lack of decent goalkeeping. Much brighter days ahead …

Team: Moore, Wine, Box, Bryans and Schlatter, Subchart-Anan, Robertson, Saeki and Rawiophap, Gonzalez Casares and Kazior. Subs: McLaughlin, Crane and Bernfeld (all played).