Northern Premier League Midlands
Newton Fallowell Stadium, Loughborough
Saturday, 28th October 2023, 3.00pm
Unlucky Rovers
Anyone seeing the final score could be forgiven for thinking that Rovers had been handed a going over by the side who now sit at the top of the table but, nothing could be further from the truth.
Despite the hosts present lofty league position Rovers gave as good as they got equalling their opposition in every department indeed with a bit more luck the visitors may have sneaked all three points as they saw the crossbar deny them three time and two deflections going Dynamo’s way.
Rovers started the game on the front foot with Kieran O’Connell, after some good play down the right, forcing home keeper Lewis King into an early save. Martin Smyth then fired his free kick narrowly over the bar from 22 yards.
Dynamo began to come into the game and on 28 minutes went close themselves with a header being cleared off the line by a Gresley defender.
Another chance fell to Rovers three minutes later. A corner was swung in by Smyth and Chris Jones rose to power his header goalwards only to see the ball take a slight deflection forcing it onto the bar and over for a corner.
Just after the half-hour mark Jamie Sleigh was brought down in the area and referee Mr Smith didn’t hesitate and pointed to the spot; the penalty kick duly despatched by Jack Eskins-Tyson to give Rovers the deserved lead.
Rovers conceded two late first half goals. After a back heel was well saved by Havey Woodward at the expense of a corner. The corner was only half cleared and was superbly volleyed home into the top corner of the net by George Ball.
A poor piece of defending added goal number two when a header destined to reach Woodward but fell short leaving Evan Garnett the easy task of firing into an unguarded net.
The home side started the second half fast when Rio Molyneaux made a blistering run down the right ending with a cross that fizzed across the face of goal but just out of reach of a Dynamo player running in a the far post.
Rovers hit back and levelled just moments later. A long throw from Alby Lansdowne caused chaos in the box and Sleigh tabbed the ball home.
The bar came to Dynamo’s rescue once more on 53 minutes when a good move ended with O’Connell squaring the ball to Chris Jones, but his well struck shot hit the woodwork.
Action went to the other end and a cross was met by Ball but the header was well saved by Woodward, the resultant corner came into the box but Gianluca Bucci could only put his free header over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
On 70 minutes lady luck was not on Rovers’ side when O’Connell’s goal bound shot was deflected for a corner and from the flag kick Sleigh’s header struck the bar.
It was then the turn of Rovers’ substitute and new signing John King to be denied when his shot was deflected straight into the arms of the grateful home keeper.
The final score was flattering for Dynamo as two late, late goals broke the hearts of the travelling faithful who had made the journey giving the home side their biggest crowd so far. On 90 minutes a shot was saved by Woodward but the prolific Garnett followed up ramming the ball home.
The in the fifth minute of added on time, a clash between two players on Rovers’ bye line was harshly deemed a penalty by the referee which Garnett converted for his hat-trick and the score a flattering look for the home side.
