The league meeting at Winterfield Road two weeks ago ended goal less and once again there was very little to choose between these teams. With the wind in their faces Rovers began confidently and Josh Jeffries testing the home keeper, Rob Bullivant in the 3^rd minute with a well struck volley. Both sides had a number of half chances without really threatening although Charlie Rich’s long range effort on 24 minutes forced Bullivant to make an excellent save tipping the ball over the bar and debutant, Kane Ingram came close to opening his Rover’s account with a volley just wide of the post.

The visitors deservedly went ahead on 33 minutes as the ever lively Rich went away down the left and crossed to the near post where Rob Claridge’s flick was blocked but the ball fell to Jeffries who fired home.

Windsor started the second period well and Michael Chennells should have done better immediately after the break when he found himself unmarked but he headed over the bar. Ingram then went close again and Neikell Plummer shot just wide of the post as Rovers once again got back into contention.

Scott Thomas squandered a great chance for an equaliser on 65 minutes when again he failed to hit the target with a header when unmarked at the back post. Chennells was denied by a great block and just as it began to look as though Rovers were headed for a 4^th successive clean sheet and a passage through to the next round disaster struck with 10 minutes remaining.

Substitute, Jake Parsons crossed from the right and with the ball swirling in the wind and deceiving Rover’s keeper, Kyle Phillips, Claridge at the far post headed into his own net.

Now it was all one way traffic as “The Royalists” pressed home their advantage. Phillips pulled off a magnificent stop from Parson’s volley but in the final minute of normal time Rovers’ hard worked defence conceded a corner on the right. Windsor’s central defender, Steve Butler, out jumped everyone but his header smacked against the cross bar and appeared to drop straight down. Certainly the referee saw nothing and allowed play to continue as Phillips was forced into another save from the follow up but the assistant referee flagged to indicate the ball had crossed the line, a decision that mystified both sets of supporters, caused skipper Dan Cleverley and defender Rob Cousins to be booked for dissent and ultimately cost Rovers the chance of earning the £2,000 prize money on offer.

To see the view from Windsor which makes interesting read!!-

http://www.wefc.co.uk/news/091003a.asp

Team:  

Kyle Philips, Stuart Tovey, Charlie Rich,James Tyrrell, Alex Ball, Rob Cousins, Josh Jeffries, Neikell Plummer (Sam Wade 84 mins), Rob Claridge, Dan Cleverley (C), Kane Ingram

Subs not used: Chris Lane, Jonjo O’Hara, Paul Milsom, Ollie Price

Referee: Mr A Tonks

Assts: Mr Miller / Mr Roden

Rovers' Star Man: Charlie Rich

Attendance: 139