Below par second half performance condemns Rovers to a second successive home league defeat.

However our Match Sponsors, Gillards Worldwide Warehousing & Distribution Limited enjoyed their day.

Match report from Andy Harris - photos Dave Aldridge

Rovers turned in a real Jekyll and Hide performance as they slumped to their second successive home league defeat.

In the first half, with the wind at their backs, Rovers dominated proceedings and only a good save from Borough keeper, Nick Hutchings, in the 3rd minute prevented Jon French from scoring after good work by Rob Claridge. Rovers felt they should have had a penalty on 10 mins as Claridge and French combined on the right to set up skipper, Dan Cleverley, who went down in the area under a challenge but the referee waived play on.

Penalty claim rejected for Rovers

However the pressure finally told on 16 minutes as yet another ball into the Borough box saw the defender slice his clearance and Chris Lane raced through to head the past the advancing Hutchings.



Chris Lane's header gives Rovers the lead

Lane had a great chance to score again 5 minutes later after good work from French down the right but he volleyed the cross over the bar. Borough’s first threat came on 23 minutes as skipper Josh Thomas rose above everyone to head Dave Birmingham’s corner just over the bar. Dan Cleverley fired high and wide, Josh Jefferies, Danny Boys and Claridge all forced Hutchings to make a save but in the final minute of the half it was the visitors who almost equalised. They played a free kick on the left, short to Andy Culliford and his cross eluded everyone and went just wide of the far post.

In the second period fortunes were reversed as Justin Bennett and Glen Howes set up a great chance for Lloyd O’Neil but his header was easily saved by Rovers’ keeper Kyle Phillips. The home side were denied a clear penalty on 50 minutes as Pendry’s cross from the right to the far post saw Culliford miss his attempted clearance and clearly make contact with Lane but once again Mr Amey waived play on. Substitute, Lee Chudy, forced Phillips to make a fine save on 55 minutes from a 30 yard free kick. Rovers should have doubled their advantage on 59 mins as a through ball sent Jefferies clear but rather than round the keeper he chose to shoot early and Hutchings made the save.

It was a costly mistake as 2 minutes later Bennett went away down the right and although Phillips made a great save the Borough striker recovered to slot the ball home for the equaliser. Thomas had a another powerful header for the visitors go just wide and on then 72 mins the visitors were awarded a penalty as O’Neil went down in the box in a challenge with Phillips. The keeper was booked and Dave Birmingham made no mistake with the penalty kick.

Phillips adjudged to have brought down O'Neil

The game was effectively over on 79 minutes as Rovers’ defender, Jason Hughes, needlessly conceded a corner on the left which was headed back across goal. Phillips failed to hold the ball and Bennett bundled the ball home.

Bennett scrambles the ball home for his second and Borough's third

Hughes almost atoned for his error on 81 mins but his header from a corner just cleared the bar. Rovers were fortunate not to concede further goals as Phillips made a great save to deny Chudy when clear and then moments later Bennett should have completed his hat trick but dragged his shot wide with only Phillips to beat.

Rovers’ manager, Andy Jones will wonder how his side could play so well, both last Tuesday at AFC Totton and in the first half here but so poorly after the interval. His team will need to regroup quickly if they ambition of a play off place is to realised.

Team: Phillips, Pendry (Tovey 81 mins), Boys, Jefferies, Hughes, Cousins, B Cleverley, French, Claridge, D Cleverley, Lane (Hulbert 71 mins)
Sub not used: Trought

Referee: J Amey
Assts:  D Gillespie, J Fortescue

Attendance: 172

Star Man: Josh Thomas (Borough)
Rovers’ Star Man as chosen by the Match Sponsors - Gillards Worldwide Warehousing & Distribution Limited  : Jason Hughes

The match itself was sponsored by Gillards Worldwide Warehousing & Distribution Limited who won the draw back in August to become our main shirt sponsor for the 2008/9 season. Terry Gillard the founder and chief executive is a familiar face at Winterfield Road having previously played and managed Rovers and other local clubs. Terry took this opportunity to bring together some former team mates and also celebrate the 66th birthday of his life long friend, Roy "Babber" Higgs another regular Rovers' fan both home and away. 

The occasion was marked with a photograph with several members of the team ahead of the kick off.

 L-R Roy (Babber) Higgs, Ben Cleverley, Dan Cleverlety (Captain), Jon French, Terry Gillard