Isuzo FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying
Grange Park, Long Eaton
Tuesday, 13th September 2022, 7.45pm
Trophy Defeat For Rovers
The final game of last season ended in a similar scoreline to this game only that one was for the United Counties title and this one for the next step in the FA Trophy.
The hosts went close after just a couple of minutes when Jamie McGuire headed over Alex Morris’s headed clearance.
Rovers carved out their first chance of the night when a quick break up the right ended with Kieran Wells sending over a cross which just eluded the foot of Lucas Powell.
On 7 minutes United took the lead taking advantage of some slack defending from a corner which allowed Kieran Walker to stab home the loose ball from close in.
Despite Rovers pressing hard the home defence proved stubborn repelling any attack from producing an equaliser, indeed United could have doubled their lead. Another set piece, this time a deep free kick, was nodded on by Alex Marshall which Walker could only glace the ball wide of the mark.
However, a few minutes later the goal which looked like it was coming arrived when, yet another set piece produced the goods. Jack Rogers’ corner from the left appeared to elude defenders and keeper before ending up in Rovers’ net.
Rovers hit back through Tyler Donaldson who made a good run down the right, but his cross was hurried due to the attention of a defender and the ball went straight to Wilson in the Long Eaton goal.
Play was going from end to end and United had a good chance to put the tie out of the visitors reach but Rovers’ keeper, Lewis Fenney, did well to deny Kam Campbell a clear sight of goal.
Frustratingly, Rovers created another good chance which they failed to convert when Wells was picked out in space in the box but his header across the face of goal was inches away from Jazz Luckie. Wells was involved again a couple of minutes later but this time he was denied by a great block as he was about to unleash a shot. It was then the turn of Rovers to defend when Jordi Gough prevented a goal bound shot from hitting the back of the net.
For the neutral this was an intriguing game of football with action at both ends of the pitch and neither side taking it by the scruff of the net. Wells’ cross was headed just over the bar by Luckie and at the other end McGuire volleyed over when well placed.
The second half started with pressure on the Rovers’ goal with Rogers heading straight into the arms of Fenney. Five minutes later a couple of brilliant tackles first from Jordi Gough and then Donaldson’s superbly timed sliding tackle prevented United from adding a third goal.
On 69 minutes Rovers were denied what looked like a nailed-on penalty as Luckie had his ankle tapped as he burst into the area only for referee, Waqar Ahmed, to have adjudged he’d dived and waved an underserved yellow card.
With time running out for Rovers, their pressing forward almost cost them one or possibly two more goals as substitute Micah Jebbison hit the side netting followed by his shot hitting the bar with three minutes remaining of the ninety.
Two early goals were enough to end Rovers’ Trophy campaign at the first attempt, however, there were glimpses of promise from their play and with a little luck, which has so far eluded them, they will surely turn their faltering season around.
