Rovers edge 7 goal thriller to keep their Championship hopes alive

Match report from Dave Neil

Rovers knew nothing less than a win would do to ensure they maintained their title challenge. Even without injuries and absentees this was going to be a tough game, and it was!

Brad Allen made his return to the centre of defence after being out for 4 weeks with a broken foot and Nath Loader, signed on just before the deadline, made a welcome return to pull on a Rovers shirt for the first time in over a year. Rovers had to field a team with several players carrying knocks, Banfield, Neil and Lydford all not fully fit.

From the start Clevedon put Rovers under pressure but slowly the visitors found their rhythm and Ben Lacey went very close with his looping shot bouncing inches over the bar. Clevedon responded and from 25 yards out a speculative lob sailed over Rothwell in the Rovers goal and into the net on 12 minutes.

The game was end to end and Rovers levelled after a well-worked move between Neil, Banfield and Lacey. Lacey hit in a cross to find Drew Mills unmarked to power home a header.

Clevedon responded and from a disputed free kick scored. Rovers continued to work hard and this eventually paid off. Dex Neil found himself in some space and with a defence splitting pass found Lacey who raced to collect and slotted the ball into the net. 2-2 at half time
The second half saw Rovers continue their momentum and dominated for the first 10 minutes, with several chances created and were unlucky not to go ahead. However Clevedon again came back and took the lead after some sloppy defending from Rovers. The pressure was mounting and the Rovers players continued to press on, the work rate was fantastic. It eventually paid off as Jack Mounty, a bright prospect for the future, picked the ball up from the left, cut inside and from just outside the Clevedon box curled in a fantastic shot to make it 3-3 on 80 minutes – certainly the best goal of the game!

It was now all or nothing and both teams went at each other and it really was end to end. Clevedon were unlucky not to have a penalty but they were also lucky they didn't have a player sent off after Lacey was up ended just outside the box as he was racing through on goal.
The winner came 2 minutes before the end. Lacey again getting in front of his marker, was this time tripped inside the Clevedon penalty area. Lacey took responsibility and converted the penalty to make it 3-4. Clevedon had one final go from a corner but it was not to be for them.
This was a fantastic game between two very competitive and talented sides.

The teamwork and passion demonstrated by Rovers was incredible and was definitely the best team performance of the season. They deserved their victory through sheer effort alone. This keeps the title race alive with 3 games to go and the final game of the season against Winscombe could be the title decider.

Team. Rothwell, Hailston, Neil, Evans, Lydford (Mott 70), Allen, Mills, Banfield (Smale 60), Lacey, Mounty, Loader.
Sub Not used: Parnell.