Shomari Barnwell gave the hosts an early lead into the first half and then Georges Kebi doubled their lead by heading in a free kick. Rovers had a great chance to get back into the game late on when they were awarded a penalty but Harry Talbot’s spot kick was saved by Sidi Haidara which summed up their afternoon defeat.

Rovers made three changes following Tuesday’s cup win over Frenford. Jack McQueen, Shaye La-Rose and Ben Search were back in the starting line up for Mitchell Arthur, Alfie Whiteaker and Bradleigh Rowland who were on the bench. Gene Ghag remained in goal as George Martin who is nursing an injury.

Kickoff:

Inside the first two minutes, it was already uphill challenge as the hosts opened their account.

Zack Newton was played out wide on the right and managed to skip past his defender before cutting the ball back across the area for Shomari Barnwell to blast in to give the hosts an early lead.

Despite the setback, Rovers were looking dangerous going forward and had a couple of good chances inside the opening fifteen minutes.

The closest Rover came to levelling the score was when Harry Talbot got down the left and whipped in a cross which was headed back across the box by Bradley Bennett and Luke Hirst saw his shot well tipped over by Sidi Haidara.

Ben Search then had an effort after a corner was cleared just outside the box but he fired his effort over the bar.

Rovers were looking good with large amounts of possession and range of passing but they’re chances were
limited due to the well drilled defence of their league leaders. They closed down any threat and vastly experienced defender Scott Doe was proving to be a hard player to get by who led the team from the back.

b]Halftime: SOUL Tower Hamlets 1-0 Rovers[/b]

The second half would prove deja vu as the hosts opened their doubled their lead three minutes into the second half.

Tower Hamlets got a free kick by right corner flag and Georges Kebi lost his marker and headed in the ball to give the hosts a commanding lead.

The goal took the wind out of the Rovers sails but they continued to push late on in search of a goal back. Reece Conway was acting playmaker for the Rovers with his neat range of passing and being a vocal presence.

They made several changes to inject energy into the side with Max Gnandi, Alfie Whiteaker, Jack McQueen and Bradleigh Rowland being rotated on.

However, Rovers were yet again reduced to limited chances as due to the host’s high tempo press.

Just after an hour, the heavens opened and both teams would play in wet conditions.

Halfway through the second half, the hosts almost netted a third. Georges Kebi played a one-two before cutting through the right into the box and his shot went into the side netting.

Five minutes from time, Rovers were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty.

Harry Talbot ran onto a long ball through on a neat build up from a counter attack and he was tripped in the box from a challenge by Louie Maxwell and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Sadly, Talbot has had hard luck from the spot lately and he saw his spot kick well saved by Sidi Haidara low to his left and smothered the ball which summed up the Rovers afternoon.

Fulltime: SOUL Tower Hamlets 2-0 Rovers

Despite the loss, Rovers did look good for periods of the game with their range of passing and possession but just not clinical in front of goal.

Rovers will now have two weeks to prepare for their next game as they play away to playoff contenders Little Oakley on the 15th November.

Special mention to then thirty supporters who turned out and stuck around in the wet conditions. Your support is much appreciated.