United Counties Premier League North
Outgang Road, Market Deeping,
Saturday, 1st March 2025, 3.00pm
The Pressure Mounts
This was a poor game between two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table and both needing the points. Rovers are desperate for points in their battle to prevent a second consecutive relegation and are lacking in confidence which that elusive win should give them if they could achieve one.
This encounter had the feeling that it was going to be decided by something spectacular or by a mistake and sadly for Rovers it was the latter.
Rovers fielded what must have been one of the youngest first team side in years which included five new signings and a keeper returning on loan due to Karamo Ceesay’s injury.
The surface was soft causing both sets of players to slip and slide as they tried to find their footings.
It was a cagy first half with no chances of note except for one for the home side with just three minutes on the clock. James Stainsby broke through the Rovers backline but was denied by a fine block from Harvey Woodward.
More pressure from Rangers was pushing Rovers back and on 29 minutes the home side went close again. This time it was Elliott Foster who got the better of new signing Favour Osaghae but his final shot was poor and delt with easily by Woodward.
Rangers missed a golden chance just a couple of minutes later. A cross from the right was met by Josh Moreman at the far post who really should have buried his header into the gaping net but missed the target.
The first half ended with Rangers going close again with Stainsby firing wide of the near post from Byron Adiado’s corner.
Rovers made a change at half time with Dylan Hunniford replacing William Scothern and it seemed to make a difference as the visitors finally started to put the home defence under pressure.
Just after the hour mark Rovers went close with Sam Moore heading Nathan Banton’s cross from the left just wide of the target.
Rangers must have sensed that Rovers were getting the upper hand and made several changes but still Rovers came forward with Moore trying an audacious bicycle kick from the penalty spot which went wide.
On 79 minutes jack Andrew’s made a tackle which prevented a possible goal chance but in doing so injured himself which looked serious. He was replaced by Phil Kowalski.
Rovers had a decent chance to have taken the lead on 80 minutes, but Jack Thatcher’s shot was blocked at the near post by home keeper Arron Butcher.
The solitary goal came just three minutes later. Hunniford lost possession of the ball inside the Rovers’ half which then resulted in the ball being sent across to substitute Oleksander Muzychuk in space on the left who in turn fired a half volley past Woodward and into the net. You could see the spirit quenched in the Rovers side and it could have got even worse, but another substitute Scott Waumsley hit the post following a fast break.
The defeat leaves Rovers clinging on to their UCL Premier Division membership by the very tips of their fingers as another side biting their heels, Kimberley Miners Welfare, managed a good win at Shirebrook closing the gap between Rovers and Kimberley to just one point with a game in hand.
