Rovers slipped to their second defeat of the season against the cops in an eventful game that had just about everything for the sunbathing spectator.
The cops took the lead after 15mins, their striker climbing highest at the back post to nod home. Next incident of note was the dismissal of mad dog Maloney, who lost the heid and joined the illustrious list of those to fall victim to the gamesmanships of the cops. A petty incident, your man made a meal of it, but such things cannot be done right in front of the ref. The only consolation for Maloney being more free time for going on the lash in the coming weeks.
The game was evenly matched and the Rovers were soon back in business when Paco was brought down as he tried to round the keeper. Sobek stepped up for the penalty and after the keeper saved with his legs, was relieved to stroke home the rebound from a couple of yards. Mulder had a chance to put the Rovers in the lead with a free header from a corner but fluffed his lines. 1-1 at the break and the one man disadvantage not apparent.
With little still to choose between the teams in the second half, the cops took the lead after their striker, looking well offside, stuck out a toe and diverted a daisy cutter past Flogger, to much annoyance and cursing all round.
The Rovers refused to buckle, however, and got back on level terms when Wainey rose highest to send a looping header into the corner from a Paco corner. But the excitement didn't stop there; having allowed one seemingly offside goal, the ref then chalked off one for the cops which wasn't offside. Undeterred, the bacon pressed forward and took the lead with 15mins to go through a controversial penalty. After seeming to have scrambled the ball away, Muller clearing off the line, Slumes then poked the ball away from the cop forward's leg, only for the young ref to point to the spot, despite Slumes having clearly played the ball. This didn't go down at all well - certain members of the Rovers expressing their dissatisfaction in what can only be described as 'clear' tones. Sometimes you just have to let it go and get on with it...The penalty was duly dispatched and despite some credible effort in the final 10, the Rovers could not find the equaliser, which their battling performance perhaps just about deserved.
Talking point after the game obviously centered on the young ref, who was accompanied by his mum and barely looked old enough to buy cigarettes, let along be refereeing a derby game of men's football. The Rovers performed impressively, without a recognised striker and after being forced to play 3/4 of the game one man down, and can certainly feel a little hard done by with another controversial penalty going against us. Certain things to work on still - keeping the ball being one of them - but a commendable performance with everyone working hard. Hopefully 3 points to come next week.
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