After a exciting end to end second in half, Jack Mitchell netted twenty minutes from time to put the Rovers back in front and held off a persistent Hackney Wick side to seal their place in the second round.

After a strong start, life was made difficult as they were punished for individual errors and not capitalising on their opportunities. However, despite a nervy game, it was good to see the Rovers bag their first win of the season.

Kickoff:

Rovers were straight out of the blocks from the first whistle and looked dangerous on the counter.

It didn’t take long for the first goal to come as Rovers broke the deadlock after 5 minutes.

A good move down the right from Jayden Alexander found Reece Placid down the wing and he cut the ball inside to Harrison Chatting who turned his marker before he was tripped on the edge of the box.

Sean Gittleson was on set piece duty and he produced a fantastic curling right footed shot over the wall into the top corner.

A great start to the game and Rovers didn’t let up and just after 10 minutes they doubled their lead.

A swift counter from the back was played through the middle and a ball through from Harrison Chatting sent Reece Placid running at goal and he calmly finished the move by rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

Rovers were on top and didn’t top their as they continued to create chances.

Placid had another chance when Alexander got round his defender and played a pass across the area to Jack Mitchell at the back post but his close range effort was bravely saved by the feet of Ali Karaduman.

Karduman was soon called upon once again when Harrison Chatting got possession in midfield and played in Jack Mitchell to run at goal. The Rovers striker got at goal and his close range effort was well saved by the outstretched leg of Karaduman.

With all these opportunities not taken, Rovers needed to be careful they weren’t punched and it would be inevitable as they got a goal back on 34 minutes.

A good move through the midfield found Erti Sylejmami on the right and he cut inside before curling a great curling effort that nestled into the bottom corner.

It was beginning get nervy for the Rovers and in a matter of moments they were soon punished again as they hosts were awarded a penalty on 37 minutes.

A ball into the box was only cleared to outside the box and a pass was played into Sylejmani and he was tripped inside the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Joshua Okpa stood up and his right footed effort was saved low to George Marsh’s left but he buried the rebound to draw the hosts level.

The game was pretty much end to end action as both sides started to play long ball. However, neither teams had any clear cut chances as both goalkeepers didn’t have much to deal with.

[Halftime: Hackney Wick 2-2 Rovers[/b]

The second half started as the first half ended as both teams failed to get a foot on the ball and no clear cut chances were created.

On 66 minutes, the hosts went close when a corner was whipped in Kojo Feyi’s point blank header was superbly saved by the outstretched arm of George Marsh before the ball was cleared.

With 71 minutes gone however, Rovers were back in front.

Rovers were awarded a free kick in the middle and Reece Conway floated in a superb cross to the back post where Mitchell Arthur headed the ball back across goal to an unmarked Jack Mitchell to tap in for his second of the season.

Rovers then had more opportunities to put the game out of site but just couldn’t capitalise Jayden Alexander was causing trouble and danced his way to the byline before pulling the ball back across goal to Sean Gittleson but his shot blazed over the bar.

Reece Placid then went close when Alexander played another pass across the box but he also sent his shot over the bar.

The opposition then started to throw in the kitchen sink and it was backs to the wall for the Rovers.

Thankfully, the Rovers prevailed as they soaked up the pressure and saw out the remainder of the game to earn their place in the next round.

Fulltime: Hackney Wick 2-3 Rovers

A much needed win for Marcus Bowers and his team. It wasn’t pretty but a win is a win.