Today's game brought Rovers up against a strong hard tackling Stoke Lane side and for the second week running missed chances proved to be their downfall. 

Stoke Lane started the first game the better side as they were more determined to get to the ball first and closed Rovers down very quickly when they had the ball. Despite this it was Rovers though who nearly took the lead in the 3^rd minute when Ben Alexander had his close range shot blocked and cleared to safety. The same player also saw a shot from the right side of the box pushed wide in the 8^th minute. Rovers seemed to be moving the ball too slowly which allowed Stoke Lane to get players behind the ball but it was also noticeable that when going forward Stoke Lane did so with greater pace and in numbers. Rovers defence of Ben O'Brien and Kameron Brown produced timely tackles though to stop their opponents from creating any chances. Rovers when moving the ball forward at a quicker pace looked more threatening and a good move involving Alexander and Brad Lewis saw Nathan Hewitt's excellent drive just go over the bar. Rovers were now more in the ascendancy and Lewis saw his shot cleared off the line. A scramble that followed from the resulting corner saw Hewitt put his close range shot wide. In the 17^th minute Stoke Lane's pace saw them open the scoring when from an excellent run their striker drew out Samuel Johnson in the Rovers goal before passing sideways to leave his team mate with a simple tap in a lead that they kept up to the interval.  

The second half started with substitute Conor Harris having a shot saved and apart from a good run by Alexander which brought a corner there was very little to write about. Stoke Lane's only effort saw a free kick well saved by Bradley Davies who replaced Johnson at half time. Rovers tried to play football but were stopped on several occasions by some very strong tackling from Stoke Lane's defence who were determined not to lose their lead which they did keep to the end of the game. 

I was not present for the second game which also brought about a 1-0 defeat so there is no full report but I have been advised that missed chances again cost Rovers the chance of earning a hard fought victory. So boys it is time to get your shooting boots back on.