G&S Rovers FC 4 vs 3 Lessa FXI

<p>G&S went in to this game with their own destiny firmly in their own hands!  On a cold, used pitch @ Meridian they knew a win would guarantee promotion & take them a step closer to the title.

<p>Lessa, a good battling unit undeservedly so near the bottom of the table, were in the mood to spoil the party & it so nearly happened!

<p>The game started well with the Blues dominant but indecisive.  Nerves were settled however on 10 minutes when a good move saw TJ fire home from inside the area from Russ' centre for 1-0.

<p>Rich nearly made it 2 on 28 with a rasping free kick that clipped the bar - very unlucky from the midfield dynamo!

<p>More chances went a begging & Rovers nearly paid the ultimate cost.  James was undone by the small forward on the half hour, before falling & being very harshly adjudged to have handled just inside the box.  Penalty!

<p>The tension rose as it was striker v keeper in a duel to the death.  One v one, mano a mano, matador versus the bull, David v Goliath!  The orange man coolly strode up, placed the ball on the spot giving nothing away from his steelly stare.  Keeper Keith had his heart in his mouth & they could hear his heart pounding in the stands.  The largest attendance of the season was there as witness to the contest, playing itself out like a Shakespearian classic!  Encouragement from his team mates was heard, but Keith knew he was his own man & could only rely on his own skills (honed over decades on the parks & pitches of Southern England) & his cat like reactions.  Back stepped The Lessa hitman, Keith crouched staring alertly at the ball.  The ball was struck....firmly...Keith followed it like a hawk...he dived full length to his left like a panther...the ball was repelled!  SAVE!  Luke was deadly in blocking the follow up & it stayed 1-0.  Will G&S learn from this let off?!?

<p>Just before half time a good move from the engine room saw Rich link with his buddy Alex.  Al coolly moved forward & delightfully chipped the keeper to see the ball nestle in the back of the onion bag.

<p>Soon after James was so unlucky to see his header clip the bar as he rose like a salmon from a corner.

<p>Half time & all seemed well, but could have been worse, but certainly should have been better.  This was getting to be a regular weekly occurrence i'm afraid.

<p>A period of play then happened as Lessa found themselves on top & in the driving seat.  Sloppy play, silly, needless free kicks & resting on laurels could have been devastating to the Rovers bandwagon.

<p>It was 3-2 in what seemed like a few minutes as poor defending from a direct freekick, numerous attacks & the centre halfs being outjumped by the smallest player on the pitch.

<p>Hearts sank & a sickening feeling washed through the squad & supporters.  What had happened & what was going on?!  Captain marvel Luca was brought on to sure up a tiring back 4 (had the Blues paid for him not starting because of other commitments - don't let that happen again please mate!! :-).

<p>Game on now & it was all out attack for G&S, but Lessa were no mugs & had nearly every man behind the ball.

<p>It looked like it was going to be a disastrous day but resolutely Rovers continued to press.  With time running out Shaun, who had come on to bolster the attack with fresh legs, fought well in a scramble.  With his back to goal & the ball heading out of the box, he rose with back to goal & his acrobatic overhead kick weaved it's way through a crowded box, between the keepers legs & over the line.  3-3!

<p>Relief BUT it was not over & 3-3 was NOT good enough!!!

<p>More pressing & Robbie, in as captain for the day, had moved in to acres of space on the left once more.  Time & again G&S were repelled. With less than 10 minutes to go Robbie coolly took the ball down in the box.  He moved it on to his lethal left & SMASHED it low & hard home for a 4-3 lead.  The boys & crowd went beserk with the relief of the let off they had created with the miracle comeback.

<p>Nervous minutes followed, the Blues lifted their game once more & held out for the 3 points.

<p>Promotion guaranteed now, weight was lifted from the shoulders & hands shaken with a battling team in Lessa who had so nearly spoiled the party!