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.