Date:    30/8/08    Competition: FA Cup Preliminary Round

Venue:  Pennygillam, Launceston, Cornwall

Star Man:    Kyle Phillips (Rovers)        Entertainment: 3    Max (5)

Details: If only the performance had been as convincing as the final score suggested, Rovers merry band of followers could have enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the sun in Cornwall but as it was they were subjected to a series on anxious moments and were indebted to a string of fine saves from keeper Kyle Phillips. The home side will feel a little aggrieved not to have earned a least a replay from this game.

The game exploded into life after 6 minutes as a quick throw in on the left saw Ben Cleverley’s cross brilliantly headed by brother Dan but Launceston keeper, Josh Colwill made a fine save. The ball was cleared straight downfield and Matt Andrew found himself clean through but Phillips spread himself to block the shot. Phillips produced another great save on 13 minutes this time somehow getting down to  a deflected header from a Rover’s defender following a Darren Garner free kick. This seemed to spark Rovers into action and they pressed the Launceston goal without ever looking really threatening until the 27th minute when the Rovers contingent were incensed not to get a free kick for a poor challenge on Jon French.

 However they were awarded a corner on the right which Ben Cleverley laid into the path of Rob Cousins 30 yards out and his well struck shot flew past Colwill and into the back of the net.

French then produced a cross which Robbie Clarridge headed narrowly wide of the far post and the visiting supporters might have felt they had weathered the storm. It was not to be as first a lose pass from Steve Tovey presented Rob Blake a great chance but again Phillips produced the block and then a free kick from the right saw Steve Oliver’s header beat Phillips only for Claridge to clear off the line with a spectacular overhead kick.

Andy Jones’ half time team “talk” could be heard from the othas erside of the field but it seemed to have little effect almost from the restart Ben Cleverley on the far post was forced to clear a Garner header off the line from a corner. The second half lacked the excitement of the first, much to the visitors relief although Dan Cleverley was narrowly wide on 55 minutes following an all too rare run and cross from Chris Lane. Blake the shrugged off three challenges before shooting narrowly wide and it looked as though Rovers were in for an anxious finish.

However the game turned on 66 minutes with a double substitution which saw Dean Pendry and Ricky Hulbert replace Josh Jefferies and Stuart Tovey. The tiring Launceston defenders were finding it hard to cope with the pace down both flanks which led to a series of fouls, bookings and eventually on 83 minutes another goal. Rovers’ best passing move of the game ended with Ben Cleverley picking out his brother and having controlled the ball well on his chest the volley from just inside the area gave Colwill no chance.

There was still time for Phillips to collect a shot from Andrew Sargent but the only real concern for Rovers in the final few minutes was ankle injury to Pendry which saw him helped from the field.

Rovers will know they can and must, play better than this if last season’s cup run is to be repeated and promotion is to be a realistic proposition. However there are a number of positives to be taken from the game, not least the fact they kept a clean sheet having conceded 4 in the last two games which owed much to Phillips who showed his confidence had not been affected by the unfortunate error at AFC Hayes a week earlier. In addition the presence of Mike Trought on the bench and Dale Peckham returning for the reserves will give him further defensive options. Skipper Dan Cleverley also looks to have re-established a successful partnership up front with Rob Claridge.

Team: Phiilips, Tovey (Pendry 66 mins), Lane, Price, Hughes, Cousins (Boys 61 mins), B Cleverley, French, Claridge, D Cleverley (C), Jefferies (Hulbert 66 mins)
Subs not used: Trought

Referee: M Whalley (Plymouth)
Assts:  D Gouard (Plymouth) / D Brown (Newton Abbot)

Attendance: 200