WE'VE GOT OUR ROVERS BACK: GRANGE ROVERS 4-3 WARREN TOWN

Grange Rovers 4-3 Warren Town  MOTM: Alfie

Rovers ran out having had a thorough debrief of last week's disappointing performance and full of determination to put that game behind them.
It started in the right fashion as Jack F broke from midfield and struck the ball from a good 20 yards it bounced in front of goal keeper, who was unfortunate not control it and the ball trickled over the line into the net. Only seconds in to the match and Rovers were one-nil to the good.
Credit to Warren Town, as they pulled back almost instantly.
Rovers, clearly missing the physical presence of both Jack D in midfield and Noah at the back looked more and more shaky, and despite Riley's best efforts in goal the Greens pulled one goal ahead.
By half time it was 3-1, and with confidence draining fast it could have been more. A worrying injury to Alfie saw him leave the field before the half time whistle. Despite all Luke's tireless running upfront Chris and Brad's 4-5-1 experiment had failed to steady the ship and Rovers looked like slipping to their second successive defeat and their third of the season.
In the second half Rovers converted to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation. Josh returned between sticks as Riley took up his familiar position in the centre of midfield and it was his strength and ability to mix it with opposition midfield which started to turn things around.
Shaun playing in an unfamiliar role on the wide right started finding his range with some good passes and through balls into the right channel and determined to get something from the game Jack B, Adam and Tyrell worked hard to win the ball as high up the pitch as they could. Mus and the lightening quick Tommy started to forge an understanding on the left wing, and the pace of Alfie and Dorrell in partnership upfront started to worry Warren Town's defence. Josh, yet again, proved himself a more than capable keeper and kept Rovers in the game on a number of occasions.
It was a piece of vision from Riley that started the fightback, he beat his man looked up and dropped the ball in-front of the on-rushing Alfie, who made sure with a rasping shot.
At only one behind Rovers looked a different team, winning everything in midfield and pushing forward with a renewed confidence, and it wasn't long before Alfie slotted a second, to bring Rovers level, after a miscued effort was poorly dealt with.
Long throws from Jack B and Tyrell were starting to hurt Warren Town and a one on the right led to a move which, had he not been flagged offside, would have bagged Dorrell a contender for goal of the season.
In the end the match was settled from the spot, an Alfie shot was handled in desperation by a Warren Town defender, Jack B grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot and cooly stroked it into the left side netting.
There wasn't long left, and as Rovers saw out the final minutes Josh was called on one more time and showed safe hands.
It was harder than it might have been but Rovers finished the first round of five fixtures with 9 points, a reasonable return and 3 points off the league leaders.
It's a healthier league this year with everyone capable of beating everyone else and it'll take more determined displays like the one in the second half  today if Rovers are going to compete.

LACKLUSTRE: HILLIERS ATHLETIC 4-1 GRANGE ROVERS

Riley won the ball with a strong challenge in midfield, put it through to Dorrell on the left wing, who whipped in a wicked cross which was met at the back post by Josh, doing what a wide midfielder should- cutting of the back post, and crashing it into the back of the net. This coupled with his penalty save in the first half secured Man of the Match for Josh, in an otherwise disappointing performance for Rovers who were already 4-0 down. Perhaps the lack of a competitive game the previous week left them too relaxed, perhaps they believed all they had to do was turn up, but it didn't happen for them, and Hilliers look like real contenders this season.

Stafford hit by "dodgy curry". Game conceded.

Stafford Utd conceded the game due to a lack of players. In the mixed friendly that followed which finished 5-5, 9 of the goals were scored by Grange Rovers players. Jack B, Josh, Dorell, Adam (twice) and Dorell scored for Orange, and Alfie (3) and Tommy scored for reds, as did Jacob.

It was a nice run out in the sun...just shame it wasn't competative.

3-0 for a conceded game this season.

3 GOALS FOR ALFIE, 3-0 FOR ROVERS AND 3 POINTS ON THE BOARD

Normal service was resumed this morning in a closely contested game against our friends Woodcote Wanderers. Woodcote are no longer team to be taken lightly as their 3-1 victory over Hilliers Athletic, last week demonstrates, and today they put up stiff resistance to Grange Rovers.
In the first half Jack D, between the sticks only had a couple of saves to make and the newly nicknamed fearsome foursome of Sean, Tyrell Jack B and new signing Noah lived up to that name, terrorising the Woodcote forward line. Not much got through and in front of them Riley and Adam found their  feet as a central midfield partnership. With the side still adapting to the 11-a-side game with Tommy starting on the right and Dorell on the left side, they still need to work on the interplay between the fullbacks and the wide midfield players but both works tirelessly up-and-down the wings.
Upfront Josh and livewire Alfie tried to find a way through a solid light blue defence.
After a couple of miscues and some stout defending by the light blues Alfie netted his first, half way through the first half, bundling through a crowded box to slot home.
The blues responded well and Mus saw his first action of the game as Sean came off, winded, having caught the ball full in the chest.

In the second half Adam went in goal and while he had little to do, when he was called upon he did very well. Jack F entered the fray first one wing than the other, and finally as a makeshift right back he seems to have found his stride again and ran hard all half. Luke came on up top alongside Alfie and was unlucky to get one of his own after a shot was parried and fell to him in the 6 yard box.

While blues weren't getting many chances of their own they were certainly making it very difficult for Rovers. They harried and close them down but with Jack D and Riley back together in centre of midfield the tide started to turn, Rovers were winning balls there and easily behind them as Noah and Jack B formed a formidable centre back partnership. After a couple of long-range efforts it was late in the game when Alfie made it to after a surging run from Riley was rebuffed Alfie received  a long punt up field, single-handedly dismantled the light blue defence and struck for a second which Woodcote probably didn't deserve, for all their industry.

The third was a drive from just inside the box from a narrow angle, and Rovers were back after the disappointment of last week.

Despite the Hat-trick the man of the match was given to new boy Noah to a solid defensive performance. The team had it's steel back today and that is due in no small part to the physical presence of the debutant.

Woodcote and Grange often train together and many friendships have been forged between the two sides. The match was played in a great spirit and we wish them well for the rest of the season.

It remains to me to thank Ian Cross for stepping in as Ref and doing a splendid job. So good we may call on him again!

A DIFFICULT START-JUST LIKE LAST SEASON

Grange Rovers 0-8 Carew Rangers
MOTM: Riley

Grange Rovers started the game at a disadvantage having only 10 players. Sean volunteered to go to between the sticks and Jack B pulled on the captains arm band as Brad and Chris tried to settle on a formation.
The step up from 9-a-side to 11-a-side made more difficult by some absences, some planned, some through injury and others a surprise to the team.
Hoping to take advantage of the brand-new Carew team's first game together, Rovers initially gambled on 3-4-2 formation.

It became clear that this gamble wasn't working with Carew overrunning the Rovers midfield and putting pressure on the defence scoring two in quick succession and having third ruled out for offside.

You can't have help wondering whether Alfie's early strike which hit the post might have changed the psyche of the two teams early on.

In making a brave saving tackle to prevent a fourth Jack B aggravated an injury picked up in his school's match the previous day and had to leave the field of play. This left Rovers with nine players against Carew Rangers' 11 and Josh swapped gloves with Sean to allow the returning player to resume his position as a central defender.

By half time Rovers were five goals and two players down and looking ragged.

Jack B volunteered to try playing in goal for the second half in order to bring the team back up to 10 players only one short of the number needed to match Carew's 11. Not only did Carew have a numerical advantage on the pitch but also their three subs rolled on and off to great effect keeping them fresh and really stretching the beleaguered Rovers defence.

Riley and Jack D both started to see a little more ball in the second half and fought hard to win some control back in the middle of the park. Riley's bulldog spirit meant he just pipped Jack D to Rovers man of the match.

Alfie and Luke were full of running up front but did not see sufficient service with blue shirts swamping the midfield. New addition Adam playing at the heart of the defence looks to be a good acquisition with his reading of the game and deft touches, he just chose the wrong game for his Rovers debut.

It was another brave tackle which finished the game for Josh, running back from midfield and sliding in to prevent a certain goal, he caught a stud below his shin-pad. We are waiting to hear how he is doing- Hope all is well Josh.

Dorrell showed moments of his customary guile, but did not see enough of the ball to make a major impact, Jack F ran hard while filling in as a full back, uncomplaining in a position in which he is unfamiliar.

Lessons to Learn

• If you concede early on, keep your heads up, encourage each other and go again.
• If one of the opposition players is capable of running from midfield and shooting from distance, close him down don't back off.
• Play to the whistle..

Positives

We have Mus, Tyrell, Tommy and hopefully Hayden to add to the squad and Millie is going to train with us next week so we shouldn't be short manned again.

Adam looks a good acquisition.

We already know Grange Rovers have bounce-back-ability and that's what we'll do.

Last season we lost on the opening day, conceded 6. We went on to finish second in the league, only falling short of winning it on the last day of the season and were losing finalists in both the cup and the five-a-side tournament, only losing one game in the later tournament, the final, on penalties.

HEADS UP, NEXT WEEK WE GO AGAIN.

COME ON YOU ORANGES

Stafford Utd 3-3 Grange Rovers. Great game to end a great league season.

Stafford Utd 3-3 Grange Rovers

Dorrell, 

Jack B

Tyrell 

MOTM Tyrell

On the last day of the league season it couldn't have been closer in both the game against a rejuvenated Stafford Utd and in the final league table of the season.

The Oranges started with their destiny in their own hands. A win against Stafford Utd would have meant a league playoff against Warren Town. A win in that game and they would have claimed the league, leaving the Cup Final the following week.

The early exchanges were nervous with Stafford clearly not just there to make up the numbers and determined to play their part and Rovers finding it hard to take Chris and Brad's advice to relax and enjoy the game.

After some excellent goalkeeping from Ethan in the Red's goal twice denying  Alfie and once Riley,  Dorrell eventually broke the deadlock. A third Alfie attempt fizzed out of the area at waist height and Dorrell spotted the keeper back-pedalling to try and get back on his line and hit a chip on the volley with his weaker left foot, which looped deliciously into the top corner of the net. 

The celebrations were short lived as Reds won a free kick for hand ball, which might have been ball to hand. Jacob stepped up and demonstrated why he has a reputation as a dead ball specialist and gave the keeper no chance with a curling free kick. It was one all at half time.

After the break Stafford went ahead in the freakiest of circumstances. A decent spell of Rovers pressure ended with a Stafford break. A strong challenge on the half way line saw the ball loop back into the Orange penalty area, bounce awkwardly and beat the keeper. Nobody was to blame but Rovers now found themselves behind.

An early chance to pull level fell to Alfie by way of a penalty for hand ball, but yet again his hard low and on target strike was held by the impressive Ethan. 

Worse was to follow as " live wire"  Liam broke through the defence to score the individual goal that he had promised to all day.     

It looked like it was all over as Rovers threw caution to the wind with Jack B pushing into midfield and Dorrell joining the frontline. 

With three minutes remaining the ball fell kindly to Jack B on the edge of the area, who bought himself some space and delicately chipped the ball over the stranded keeper.

The balance of play changed with Rovers having nothing to lose. They continued to press and suddenly it was Stafford who looked nervous. As they dropped deeper Tyrell received the ball in his own half, looked up and fired it goal-wards, beating the keeper and emphasising that a lot of the Inters players are ready for the challenges that next season will bring on a bigger pitch in an 11-a-side league. 

Rovers looked to press again but it was too late. A hugely brave comeback and a brilliant season were brought to a close. 

Warren Town started the day 2 points behind and on the same goal difference so any win would see them top the league on goal difference. In the end it was a formality as Woodcote were unable to field a full team.

There is a friendly next week and the cup final the week after so the season is far from over. 

The boys in Orange need to be very proud of what they have achieved this year, league runners up and Cup Finalists, and who knows what would have happened if we had managed to fulfil all our fixtures in the second half of the season.

From back to front the lads have played the game the right way all season and should hold their heads high.

Luke has been ever cheerful, ever enthusiastic and ever present. His improvement as a keeper over the season has been immense.

Tyrell is a fearless and committed defender, never scared of a tackle, always strong, always full of energy.

Hayden has been reliable, the best quality any defender can have, quietly and effectively going about his business, winning more tackles than most, reading the game.

Jack B has added great distribution and occasional goal scoring to his solid defensive game as well as leading the back line with charisma and understanding.

Jack D is a fighter and a real team player, he'll play anywhere he's asked, to from goalkeeper to striker, but he does his best work in the engine room.

Riley, strong and dedicated to the cause, can really drive the game on from the centre of the park or in the hole behind the front men.

Dorrell, playing up a year, has guile, vision and skill that belies his age and stature.

Mus has been a great find, plays with a smile on his face. Once described as a "box of tricks", that pretty much sums him up.

Jack F runs all day, finds the space and despite his diminutive frame will get stuck in with the best of them.

Josh, enthusiasm personified and chipped in with some great goals.

Alfie, knows where the net is like nobody in the league but there's far more to his game, happy to track back and has, on occasion, found himself scrapping with the defence. 

Well done boys hold your heads high and be proud of your season and get #upforthecup.

Hilliers Athletic 0-2 Grange Rovers

Josh and Alfie scored the goals and Luke took man of the match for two vital saves in the second half.

While this reporter spent the weekend watching Charlton unravel, Rovers stayed very much on track.

One more win will see Rovers through to a league playoff against first half of the season winners Warren Town.

LAST GASP WINNER PUTS ROVERS IN CONTROL. GRANGE ROVERS 4-3 CAREW RANGERS

Alfie 3

Josh 1 

MOTM Jack B

Maybe it shouldn't have been this tense, but Rovers like to make it difficult for themselves.

 

At 3-0 up Rovers looked to be cruising but, as the players had been warned, Carew are no pushovers. The team in orange took to the field knowing that a win would take them top of the table with Hilliers having taken an unlikely, but well deserved, point against Warren Town.

 

The early signs were good and some neat passing led to Alfie’s first, followed quickly by his brace with Josh notching up an assist with an excellent cross. A double substitution by Carew meant a less physical, but substantially pacier, front line. With this the game changed and a Grange Rovers midfield of Jack F, Riley and Dorrell, that had been bossing the game, found themselves missed out as Carew started knocking long balls into the channels for this new attack to chase. Hayden and Mus stepped up to this challenge and Jack B marshalled them as, leading by example, he crunched into every challenge and drove the Oranges forward, bringing the ball out of defence and distributing it to the midfield. One such intervention lead to the ball falling to Riley whose long range shot nearly beat the unfortunate keeper only for Josh to make sure with the ball striking the back of the net. 

Had Rovers seen the half out then it might have been all over, but a late corner gave Carew the hope they needed. They clearly work hard at set plays and, yet again, a long looping corner was bundled in at the back post.

 

The half time team talk was all about the role of the midfield in pressing the ball. However, early in the second half, Rovers midfield found themselves in front of the ball in an incisive passing move from Carew, that was beautifully converted by Michael who beat the onrushing keeper at the near post.

 

At 3-2 doubt crept in as the Royal Blues began to believe they could get back into the game and with the change of momentum their third goal was inevitable. Perhaps Rovers were lacking Jack D's steel in the centre of the park as he generously took a turn between the sticks. Hayden and Jack B found themselves fighting a desperate re-guard action and as the midfield tired they were increasingly outnumbered. When the next Carew goal came it was, again, from open play and there was nothing Jack D could have done about it.

 

Bizarrely this was when Rovers came alive again. Players like Jack F and Dorrell were still full of running and Riley full of fight, and Alfie, while he had to drop deep, started to make things happen.

"How long ref?" came the shout from Jason, the Carew manager. "Less than a minute" was the reply.

 

It felt like the opportunity to go clear at the top had passed until a ball from Mus that landed at Alfie's feet just outside the box unlocked Carew one more time and Alfie claimed another hat-trick. Chris launched a water bottle into the air and everybody in orange let out a cry of relief.

 

Jack B picked up man of the match for a solid display which was disciplined and courageous.

 

Rovers are now 2 points clear and have a possible league and cup double entirely in their own hands. They are already cup finalists and winning the second half of the season would force a playoff against first half winners, Warren Town, for the league trophy.    

3 Points by default. Disappointing not to play.

Woodcote couldn't put a team out so Rovers collected a 1-0 victory before lending them two players and playing out a 2-2 friendly draw. 

As a result and with Warren playing out a tough 2-1 victory over Carew it's as you were at the top of the table.

The decision has been taken to play out the league with all cancelled games recorded as a 0-0.

It's still up for grabs.

Some photos from today.

Setting the Pace: Hilliers Athletic 2-5 Grange Rovers

A great game, played on an improving pitch under blue skies, saw Rovers stay joint top and return the same score as Warren Town did in the first match. 

A squad weakened by illness and absence took to the field with the bare minimum 9 players available.  

Tyrell returned in defence and with Hayden missing through illness, Mus was asked to fill in along side the returning player and Jack B. 

Luke looked imposing in goal and the midfield of Jack D, Josh and Dorrell were full of running and linked up well with man of the match Riley and hat-trick hero Alfie. 

The first goal was somewhat fortuitous with a delivery from the right falling to Alfie whose on target strike took a couple of deflections before beating the stranded keeper. Not the cleanest of goals but Alfie wouldn't be a striker if he didn't claim it.

Yellows' response was immediate and caught the defence napping, a chipped through ball, straight from the kick-off found Joe in acres of space and he slotted home to make it one-all.

 The competitive nature of the boys in orange was plain to see in their response to this setback. Affronted by the equaliser, Rovers started to show the steel that had got them back in last week's comeback. As Tyrell started crunching into every tackle, Jack B's more cultured approach brought the midfield into the game. As a pair they work well, when Brad and Chris have an opportunity to team them up with Hayden as a three again they will be as impenetrable as any defence in the league. Mus worked hard and showed bravery and guile in a position which he was wholly unfamiliar with.      

If Jack B was pulling the strings from the back, Riley started dropping deep and made the team tick from midfield bringing Josh and Dorrell into play on the flanks, linking up with Jack D or opening up the Yellow defence with through balls for the speedy Alfie to latch onto.  It was a Riley ball out to the right which brought about the second Orange goal. Josh controlled it well cut in and his powerful cross-shot was turned in with another yellow deflection. A polite and modest Josh declined to celebrate but there was no doubt that it was his goal to claim. 

The third came from a great passing move and great finish from the edge of the box from Riley who deserved a goal as a reward for his endeavour and was, rightly, less modest in his celebrations as the ball hit the roof of the net.  

The second half saw Alfie slot his second and Rovers fourth after a perfectly weighted through-ball from midfield.

Dorrell and Jack D were both hard hardworking in bringing the ball under control in midfield and driving Rovers forward.

 Rovers were unluckily to be caught on the break as Yellows reduced the deficit. But any hope of a recovery was quashed as Alfie fired his third. 

In the closing minutes Luke had a run upfront and caused the defence and goalkeeper all sorts of trouble, especially from set plays.

    

Riley picked up the MOTM award for a fine passing performance, something both his school and Sunday managers have been calling for, and a great goal.

Anything Man City can do...Grange Rovers 4-2 Carew Rangers

Rovers emulated Man City's performance yesterday with a second half come back against a spirited and physical Carew Rangers side. 

In the first half, two seemingly well matched sides battled out a half that looked like finishing nil-nil, until,with five minutes to go, Jack B took a quick throw on on the right, no one dropped to cover his position and a strong tackle saw two blue players through and Hayden was left exposed, and there was nothing Josh could do in goal. 

Soon after, with new belief, the blues packed the box for a free kick, and after several scuffed clearances in atrocious conditions it was stabbed home. 

At half time a dejected Rovers side needed an early lift, the team talk focused on better marking, attacking the loose ball, quality from set plays and defending from the front. 

The second half, in hail and driving rain, saw a different Rangers turn up.  It was clear early on that they wanted to get back into the game, and the pressure on the Carew Rangers defence was exactly what was needed. Every throw, every goal kick was defended five to ten metres higher up the pitch, as wave after wave of Orange attack was desperately snuffed out by Rangers. Jack D was resolute in the centre of midfield winning every ball and driving the team around him forwards. Alfie made darting runs and Riley made his physical presence felt, holding up the ball and linking play. 

It was a goal from central defence that started the comeback. With the incessant pressure forcing several corners and Jack D delivering each one into the box, it was always likely that a goal would come from a corner. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box where the waiting Jack B struck a sweet half volley which flew into the back of the net. 

The equaliser was an even sweeter goal which also came from a set play. A handball on the edge of the box saw the ref give the inevitable free kick. While several players saw themselves in the role, Alfie stepped up and left the keeper with no chance, rippling the net with a ball which looped in, just grazing the crossbar. On his reintroduction, Jack F ran his legs off in right midfield and Mus did the same in a slightly narrower role on the left, covering in front of the defence, when midfield general Jack D pushed forward. Jack B joined the attack whenever he could, which was made possible be the dependable and disciplined performance by Hayden. 

The pressure continued and another corner caused havoc in the blues box, but the ensuing clearance led to a break and after both Jack B and Hayden tackles fell to blue shirts, Luke made a save which had as much influence on the game as any of the goals. 

Playing from right back, Dorrell started to make mazey runs and linking up well with Riley and Jack D and enabled Riley to slip the ball through to Alfie to slot a simple third for Rovers. 

After a nail biting 5 minutes Dorrell finished the match in fine style as he carried the ball from level with his own penalty area to cut in and strike from just outside the opposition's, as Orange players stretched to make the goal theirs and Blues to get their body in the way it dropped over the keeper and over the line. 

The main difference between the first half and the second was the willingness to battle for every ball, a quality, along with his excellent corners, Jack D displayed throughout. He was awarded MOTM, but the whole team fought for the win in the second half.

All three fixtures were completed, despite the rain, and so the three points really count.

A Big Thanks to Red Door for sponsoring the team hoodie.

Still no matches due to the weather, but a well attended training session allowed the majority of the team to receive the GRFC hoodie sponsored by Red Door Homes (Andy Wicking's company).

Hopefully we'll be playing again next week.