Alfie (3)
MOTM Jack D
The best team performance from the side since before Matt Wigam took charge of the Maroons as a Bantums side saw Grange Rovers narrow the gap on top of the league Warren Town to a single point as they beat them 3-1 in a full blooded, competitive encounter in swirling winds at Beddington park this morning.
News that Stafford United had slipped up against Carew in the third game of the day means that Rovers are up to second.
With Josh and Sean missing the team was down to bare-bones but a different formation, frustrated the attack minded Greens. Jack D played the whole game in goal, with a back three of captain, Jack B, Hayden and Tyrell. Jack F started in a deep midfield role protecting this trio with Dorrell in a free role and Mus and Alfie supporting Riley who ploughed a lonely but effective furrow as a target man. While the management team would like to take the credit for this tactical nouse, in the end it was desire, commitment and a deal of skill that won the day.
When Grange Rovers get the ball down and play football they are as good as any team in the league, and today they did this whenever they could, but when that wasn't possible Riley's strength and Alfie's and Dorrell's pace and undoubted skill made the long ball another viable and effective option and one which allowed the hardworking defence to relieve the pressure.
The early exchanges set the pattern for the first half with Rovers pressing the ball, Town found it difficult to find their rhythm and when they did find a way to get into the final third one of Jack B, Hayden or Tyrell snuffed out the threat. Jack B marshalled his defence well and was a steadying influence throughout, while Hayden played a cultured game carrying the ball out of defence and picking his passes, Tyrell struck fear into the Greens' attacking players with his fearsome tackling and massive clearances. In front of them Jack F continued to earn the the reputation for tenatious running and tackling which could earn him the nick-name Jack "Russell" Terrier.
It was a goal made in the midfield which opened the scoring, in a moved which involved Mus, who continues to be a revelation, and Riley who had dropped deep from his target man position, Dorrell crossed the ball from the left and who else would you want but Alfie to arrive on the end of it? He slotted home confidently to make it 1-0.
The second goal was sublime, a little dink inside from Mus found Riley in space and his perfectly weighted through ball was latched onto by Alfie for his, and Rovers second of the match.
Mus took a break as Luke came on up front and made an incredable nuisance of himself, and Greens clearly felt his physical presence from set plays.
This change meant that Riley dropped deeper and began to link up with Dorrell, and as they began to boss the midfield, Oranges saw out the first half, comfortably in control.
At half time Jack F, who had run his heart out, took a break and Dorrell sat in front of the defence, and with the wind in their favour Greens pulled one back with an outrageously good goal from midfield from Drew which looped over Jack D, who was otherwise faultless in goal.
It was at this point that Rovers returned to their starting nine and original shape with Luke retiring to scream his support from the sideline having proved his worth on the pitch.
With a one goal margin and the wind against them Rovers dropped, perhaps a little too deep and Town saw their chance but a backs to the wall performance from a strong and well marshalled defence and some match-winning saves from Jack D saw Rovers confidence return and in the dying minutes Alfie recieved the ball on the left cut inside and put the game beyond doubt with a third for Rovers and for himself. Yet again Rovers had scored three, it seems that it was their lucky number today.
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