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20th April 2008 Leeds Combination League Division 1 Leeds City Rovers 5 – 0 New Rover Leeds City Rovers recorded their first victory since March the 2nd in a well earned 5 – 0 win at the War Memorial Ground against relegation threatened New Rover. Despite the gloom that has surrounded the squad since crashing out of both cups in recent weeks, this victory ensured the Adel sides’ 7th win in a row in the league and are now well in the hunt for promotion.
Stewart again experimented with his starting line up returning to a 4-4-2 formation. Craig Wilson started in midfield switching with Richard Regan who paired Andrew Mitchell at the back. Nick Wilson moved onto the left hand side of the midfield with Lev Watach being pushed up front to support Paul Wills. Utility man Paul Marriott was preferred on the right to Howard Collier who, with Chris Pugh and Simon Holliday, made up the bench. The first half was a scrappy affair with Leeds defiantly looking rusty in only their 6th game in three months. Andrew Mitchell was forced off early, unable to run off an injury sustained from falling off a fence when pissed in the week. He was replaced by Simon Holliday at the back. Lev Watach did open the scoring fortuitously mid way through the first half. After the ball fell to him in the area, his shot took a wicked deflection and looped over the despairing New Rover goalkeeper. The goal did leave many members of the Rovers coaching staff begin to bemoan how such a piece of luck hadn’t happened in either of the recent cup ties. The rest of the half passed by with little of note. Paul Wills had a long range drive easily saved and Geoff Clarkson, still in search of his first goal of the campaign, attempted an outrageous shot from the edge of the area which went well wide. With a large sense of disappointed as the half time whistle blew, Stewart made two changes. Nick Wilson made way for Howard Collier and Chris Pugh replaced Geoff at right back. New Rover also made another change, after one enforced substitution in the first half after a nasty head collision, bringing on a winger in replacement for their full back. The second period started much brighter with Rovers in the ascendency. Howard, Lev and Paul combined well down the left to create an early opening which was cleared for a corner and then soon after Lev tricked his way to the by line but his low cross across the face of the goal was just inches too far for Howard at the back post. It was top scorer Paul Wills who got the all important second. He was sent clear by Lev Watach and just before shooting was wrestled to the floor by the New Rover defender to give a way a penalty and pick up a booking. Despite a well constructed protest from the New Rover skipper, “He f*-ing hand balled it, then he f*-ing lost control of the ball, so he f*-ing just fell on the f*-ing floor”, Wills calmly dispatched the penalty to double the home sides lead. This opened the flood gates for Rovers as the visitors began to tire. Wills picked up his second after Howards cross from the right wasn’t cleared and the big striker lashed the ball convincingly into the far corner. The forth was a splendid move with Chris Pugh combining well with Jonny Riches whose cross was perfectly chipped to the back post where marauding full back Joe Magnall headed convincingly home. The best was saved until last though as Jonny superseded his previous efforts. The move started at the back with Joe whose ball found Craig in midfield. Craig then danced round a New Rover midfielder before feeding Howard who quickly passed on again to Lev on the right flank. The striker then picked out Jonny with a superb cross and the midfielder guided a wonderful headed into the far corner. It was a great goal! The matched soon was called to an end by the official and Rovers celebrated a well earned win. With 4 games remaining Rovers know that a 100 percent record from now until the end of the season will ensure 2nd position in the league regardless of Chapeltown’s results in other games. As is so often said in the world of Football, ‘promotion is now in their hands’! Team John Bell – Little to do but when called upon reacted well to some dangerous situations. (8) Geoff Clarkson – Although replaced at the break, once again proved to be a key member of the side. (8) Joe Magnall – Completed another top performance with a beautifully taken goal. (9) Andrew Mitchell – Didn’t last long. (N/A) Richard Regan – Impressed in his first game at centre back. (9) Paul Marriott - Probably the best player on the pitch in the first half. Was clattered in the second half and struggled with the resulting injury towards the end of the game. (8) Nick Wilson – Didn’t look as convincing on the wing as in the centre of midfield however still looked assured in possession. (7) Jonny Riches – Another goal for the midfielder and was exceptional at times in the second half. (8) Craig Wilson – Didn’t show any sign that he hadn’t played in midfield since the start of the season. Perhaps not given enough service at times and therefore his impact was limited to small patches. (7) Lev Watach – Grew as the game went on and caused numerous problems for the New Rover defence. (8) Paul Wills – Back to his old ways with two goals and played a key role in the win. (8) Substitutes Simon Holiday – Showed his experience and although rarely relied on was a commanding presence in defence. (7) Howard Collier – Final ball was poor again but seemed more positive than in recent weeks. Was involved in two of the goals and showed some signs of returning to form. (7) Chris Pugh – Did well at right back and was instrumental in the forth goal. (7)
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