Post by ironmansimon on Sept 6, 2014 19:21:33 GMT
The biggest crowd of the season saw a highly entertaining game at the Cressing road stadium today with the Iron emerging as deserved 2 nil victors.
The match started at a lively and physical pace, Rovers were drawn into some niggly fouls after some clever tactics by the Iron.
Devonshire started with Cox and the new signing Akinola up front, the two proved to be a headache for the central defenders all afternoon.
Cox in particular justified his selection by competing for everything aerially.
Rovers threat came also in the air from Ex Cambridge player Adam Cunnington and equally the muscular Monkhouse. In the 12th minute Cunnington had a header that was superbly saved from Nik Hamman at point blank range.
An evenly matched 27 mins was turned into the Irons advantage when an innocuous cross from Habergham was dealt with by the rovers Keeper but at the back post Cox was bundled over by Parkes and referee Cook pointed to the spot. Some pushing and shoving ensued in front of the enraged Rovers fans.
Captain cool slotted home the resultant kick after a 3 minute break in play to give the Iron a 1 nil lead.
Rovers replied by pushing forward in attack and thought they had equalised when Iron failed to deal with a corner only to be denied by the linesman flagging offside. In the 40th min Hamman was called upon to make a crucial save.
Half time 1-0
The second half began and clearly the Iron all had an extra sugar in their tea as they got quickly into the sleepy Rovers players. The Iron hustled and harried their opponents in a display that showed the part timers real qualities. Young Akinola was becoming more of a thorn in rovers side as his touch and intelligent passing had them on the back foot. His superb play cutting in from the left and laying on an inch perfect pass for Sparkes to slot home was the nail in Rovers coffin.
Rovers introduced 2 subs but looked lost and had little ideas and their passes were finding touch and not the man.They faded badly as heads dropped and Iron streamed forward, Mulley , Walker and Cox all made advances to the goal with no end product and with 2 mins left Devonshire subbed Akinola who had a debut to remember, to a standing ovation.
The final whistle went and the home crowd celebrated yet another ex league teams scalp to a rapturous applause. Rovers despite the volume of support have work to do, no leader, no ideas in variety of attack and poor passing, a long 172 mile journey home with some thinking to do.
The Iron on the other hand can look forward to Welling on tues with many many positives from this game and hopefully another 3 pts for the Pub Team from Essex!
Team ratings
Nik 8 - Crucial saves at crucial time
Mitch 8- Intelligent play from an assured player, Rovers needed a passer like him!
Sam 7- Steady Eddie again
Remy 8- Nullified the threat well
Alan 9- Had Cunnington in his pocket . Deano who ??
Kenny 9 Best game of season oozed confidence
James 8 - Just needs to run past the left back. Denzal can do it !!!
Dan S -8 Devs wants more from him. Took goal well.
Chez 8- Had the better of Rovers midfield who's only answer was to commit a foul.
Simeon 9- MOTM Superb debut from another Devs gems !
Jordan 9- Did everything he was asked to do and worked so hard for the Team.
Subs
Dan W 8 - Shine when on and ran at rovers defence.
Steve 7 - Unlucky with a shot late on
Micheal 6- Little time to shine would not be surprised to see him start on tues if Devs rests a few weary legs
All in all A great Team performance today and hopefully Rovers will remember today. Today they met the Pub team from Essex. With more heart, passion and knowhow of what the Conference is all about.
COYI
The match started at a lively and physical pace, Rovers were drawn into some niggly fouls after some clever tactics by the Iron.
Devonshire started with Cox and the new signing Akinola up front, the two proved to be a headache for the central defenders all afternoon.
Cox in particular justified his selection by competing for everything aerially.
Rovers threat came also in the air from Ex Cambridge player Adam Cunnington and equally the muscular Monkhouse. In the 12th minute Cunnington had a header that was superbly saved from Nik Hamman at point blank range.
An evenly matched 27 mins was turned into the Irons advantage when an innocuous cross from Habergham was dealt with by the rovers Keeper but at the back post Cox was bundled over by Parkes and referee Cook pointed to the spot. Some pushing and shoving ensued in front of the enraged Rovers fans.
Captain cool slotted home the resultant kick after a 3 minute break in play to give the Iron a 1 nil lead.
Rovers replied by pushing forward in attack and thought they had equalised when Iron failed to deal with a corner only to be denied by the linesman flagging offside. In the 40th min Hamman was called upon to make a crucial save.
Half time 1-0
The second half began and clearly the Iron all had an extra sugar in their tea as they got quickly into the sleepy Rovers players. The Iron hustled and harried their opponents in a display that showed the part timers real qualities. Young Akinola was becoming more of a thorn in rovers side as his touch and intelligent passing had them on the back foot. His superb play cutting in from the left and laying on an inch perfect pass for Sparkes to slot home was the nail in Rovers coffin.
Rovers introduced 2 subs but looked lost and had little ideas and their passes were finding touch and not the man.They faded badly as heads dropped and Iron streamed forward, Mulley , Walker and Cox all made advances to the goal with no end product and with 2 mins left Devonshire subbed Akinola who had a debut to remember, to a standing ovation.
The final whistle went and the home crowd celebrated yet another ex league teams scalp to a rapturous applause. Rovers despite the volume of support have work to do, no leader, no ideas in variety of attack and poor passing, a long 172 mile journey home with some thinking to do.
The Iron on the other hand can look forward to Welling on tues with many many positives from this game and hopefully another 3 pts for the Pub Team from Essex!
Team ratings
Nik 8 - Crucial saves at crucial time
Mitch 8- Intelligent play from an assured player, Rovers needed a passer like him!
Sam 7- Steady Eddie again
Remy 8- Nullified the threat well
Alan 9- Had Cunnington in his pocket . Deano who ??
Kenny 9 Best game of season oozed confidence
James 8 - Just needs to run past the left back. Denzal can do it !!!
Dan S -8 Devs wants more from him. Took goal well.
Chez 8- Had the better of Rovers midfield who's only answer was to commit a foul.
Simeon 9- MOTM Superb debut from another Devs gems !
Jordan 9- Did everything he was asked to do and worked so hard for the Team.
Subs
Dan W 8 - Shine when on and ran at rovers defence.
Steve 7 - Unlucky with a shot late on
Micheal 6- Little time to shine would not be surprised to see him start on tues if Devs rests a few weary legs
All in all A great Team performance today and hopefully Rovers will remember today. Today they met the Pub team from Essex. With more heart, passion and knowhow of what the Conference is all about.
COYI
