Handbags and the Not So 'Glad'rags

Rovers made the journey to the ULEZ zone border to face Walthamstow, a team Rovers had played at Hillgrounds at month ago, losing 3-2, unfortunately that scoreline was to haunt us again.

As this was the first game in just under a fortnight, Ash Fuller had time to use training sessions to work on the squad as he continues to progress the team and club as a whole. Midfielder Oliver Hemlin has been brought in on loan from Luton Town, as well as Mykola Felenko progressing from Kempston Rovers Academy.

Israel Ajana was given his first start for Rovers, as well as Hemlin in central midfield. Rovers made the brighter start to this game, and opened the scoring on just four minutes. As has often been the case in the last few games, corners have proved efficient for the Walnuts, Stevens' cross in was glanced on and it found Kerins whose first time volley with his 'weak' foot found the roof of the net.

The hosts grew into the game and levelled on 19 minutes. A throw from the left found Ibe and after a scramble he poked home from inside the six yard box.

Just five minutes after the equaliser Rovers had an excellent chance to regain the lead, Dahie as always winning possession in midfield, and his perfect through ball found Muyembe who caught his shot well but it struck the crossbar. A yellow card for the home manager for dissent followed as he felt there was a foul in the build up.
The resulting scramble led to a corner, and once again Rovers made it count. Stevens once again putting in an excellent ball and this time it found the head of Hatch to head underneath the 'keeper from six yards, the striker's 7th of the season.

Into the somewhat eventful second half, Ajana picked up a caution for persistent fouls and was shortly substituted after by Wielblad on the right hand side. Just a minute after the substitution, manager Ash Fuller was given a straight red card by the referee. A lot of confusion ensued, was later found out that it was for throwing the ball away/wasting time.

Just after the hour mark and the hosts levelled the game. The ball broke once again to Ibe whose powerful shot struck the far post, the rebound was superbly blocked by Cooksey on the line but Ibe was there to once again slot home from close range. There were calls for offside as the striker was on the touchline, but replays show there were also two Rovers players on the touchline as well.

Two minutes later, Rovers had the opportunity to take the lead again from the penalty spot. Simpson's precise ball found Hatch in behind who beat the offside trap, as he got into the box he was brought down by former Rovers player Carl Mensah, a yellow card was given to the centre back.
After a good few minutes of arguing and penalty spot-scuffing, Stevens eventually was able to place the ball down without it rolling off, however the Rovers player understandably didn't connect well and it was comfortably saved by Robinson in the Walthamstow net to keep the scores level.

Hemlin was substituted for Stratton on 70 minutes, an impressive debut by the on loan midfielder. On 80 minutes the hosts were then given the chance to take the lead from the spot; a throw in from the left was launched into the box and Culley went down as he leant into Kerins and Cooksey, the referee deemed it a foul and a penalty was given.
This time about five minutes of scuffles took place, as Walthamstow gathered round the penalty spot. The assistant referees and managerial staff from the hosts also wanted to get a taste of the action, where Kerins was booked for his involvement. Culley eventually stepped up and although Rose guessed the right was the shot had too much power for the Rovers stopper.
Following the goal as Rose looked to get the ball back, he was then thrown into the net by Mensah who picked up his second yellow, meaning Rovers were playing against 10 men for the final stages.

Hatch was replaced by Aderoju up top as we looked to get an equaliser. Rovers were not supplying much quality late on, a few free kicks were drifted in but nothing too testing for the home defence. The hosts managed the game well, Culley managing to launch a ball over the North Circular to kill a bit of time, some would say fortunate to avoid a red card, never mind a yellow. Aderoju picked up yellow for a late challenge in stoppage time to complete the card giving for the day.

Walthamstow gained the league double over Rovers, winning 3-2 in both fixtures, the second of which was certainly entertaining for the neutral, but highly frustrating for the Walnuts. Rovers stay in 12th with 14 games still to play, 11 points off playoffs and 15 points off the relegation playoffs. Next up is the rescheduled Beds FA Senior Cup game with Potton Utd this Tuesday, 19:45KO. Thank you to the supporters who made the trip.

Photo credit - Bill Badger.