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Written by Peter Wilson
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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
Tuesday 8th April 2008
Vics 1 (D. Brown 37)
Forest Green Rovers 1 (Carey-Bertram 53)
If any Vics fan needed confirmation of how far the current team has progressed then the presentations of Blue Square Manager of The Month for March to Dino Maamria and the Player of The Month Award to Lee Steele before kick off was ample evidence. That was followed by an accomplished display against quality opposition to obtain a draw that was the least they deserved, underlining a current competancy to compete on equal terms with one of the better footballing sides in the league.
Michael Byrne was set clear on goal by Steele virtually directly from the kick off and he ought to have scored rather than lift his shot over the bar. Rovers replied by winning two corners in quick succession that set the tone of the game. Byrne switched play intelligently wide to his left for Steele to cut inside and have a hot deflected behind the far post. Again play switched ends and Stonehouse shot wide from the edge of the box. Both defences had to be at their best to deal with measured build ups from both teams and Welch exampled that standard with a piece of strident defending to deal with a threatening Lawless free kick that had caused a problem at the foot of the far post. Mullan then delivered a pin pont cross from a Vics attack that was met by Byrom and only a deflection off a defender prevented a goal. Moments later and Steele headed a long clearance into the path of DAVID BROWN to open his account for the club with a finish that was slotted inside the post. Rigoglioso went close with a 25 yard shot before Vics went into the break with the narrowest of leads.
Just as at the start of the game, Byrne was presented with an ideal opportunity at the opening of the second period but his shot, despite finding the target, was saved by Burton. Welch then squandered another opportunity by heading wide of goal after being presented an inviting view of the target by a pin point Byrom free kick. A cost for both misses was quickly paid when a slick three man Rovers move was ended by a clinical CAREY-BERTRAM finish. Connett did well to get down and save a Lawless free kick and David Brown volleyed a Mullan cross over the bar as play continued to be both gripping and entertaining. Burton saved a Byrne free kick low down to his left while Connett executed a similar save to deny Lawless. With the game on a knife edge Michael Byrne let himself and his colleagues down by impetuously throwing the ball down while harranguing the referee to earn a second yellow card. Despite being reduced to ten men, Vics almost grabbed a late winner when a Belle shot was turned over the bar by Burton and from the resulting corner kick Roberts headed over from barely 4 yards when it looked easier to score. Connett then did well to deny Rigoglioso from 18 yards before Byrom almost set Steele free on goal before Tonkin got across Steele to block his path.And from the resulting scrummage Tonkin was sent off.
The referee finally brought a pulsating and hard fought game to its conclusion, leaving both sides justifiably on level terms.
Team: 3-5-2
Connett /
Welch, Belle, Roberts /
Mullan, Crowell (Carr 63), Byrne, Byrom, R. Brown /
D. Brown (Burns 78), Steele /
Subs not used: Tynan, Meadowcroft & Horrocks
Referee: A. Hendley
Attend: 651
Man of the Match: Michael Welch
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 April 2008 )
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