After taking an early lead Rovers had to show a lot of heart and determination to come back from 3-1 down at half time.
All three goals came from Alfie. The first one was a neat tap in from a after a quality cross from Riley who had pulled out to the right. For the next few minutes it looked like Rovers would dominate as Jack D, Josh and Jack F took control in midfield, stroking the ball around with an air of confidence. Behind them the defence had picked itself in the absence of Jack B.
A series of lapses lead to three Royal Blue goals in quick succession and the team in orange finished the half two goals adrift.
With Riley volunteering to stand between the sticks in the second half, Mus took his place along side Alfie up front and Jack D marshalled his midfield in a gutsy performance, leading by example he worked his socks off, breaking up Rangers play and distributing the ball.
Hayden had clearly listened to every word of the half time team talk and was faultless at the heart of the defence in the second half. Riley behind him made a couple of confidence boosting saves and Rovers were on the front foot again. It looked like the Oranges would have to take solis from a strong but fruitless second half when Alfie gave them hope with a long range strike which looped over the defence, beat the keeper and rippled the back of the net.
At 3-2 the confidence and determination came flooding back and with the defence looking stronger by the minute the boys started to believe that they could get something from the game.
Alfie struck again, this time running onto a sweet through ball and winning the battle of wits one-on-one with the keeper. A roar went up from the team and the spectators and with 3 minutes remaining a victory wasn't beyond the bounds of possibility.
But for a couple of off-sides it might have been all three points, it wasn't to be, but Grange Rovers can be pleased with a second half where every man gave his all and got a deserved point from the game, which lifts Rovers to third in the league at this early stage.
When heart is required Grange Rovers so often turn up trumps, it was the case again today and a depleted squad can be very of what they achieved.
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