And it begins…

With 2 pre-season matches played, and aspirations of winning silverware in the years to come, Pavil Rovers FC’s inaugural football season got underway, in an AWAY fixture against Sheerwater Sunday First.

The game took place at Sheerwater’s new £26 million leisure centre, on a 3G football pitch with covered spectator seating and a clubhouse overlooking the 100-fan capacity stadium.

The early stages of the game saw Sheerwater have the majority of possession, as they strung together passes with relative ease, making full use of the wide pitch. However, Pavil had arranged themselves in a defensively solid 4-2-3-1; and this worked to good effect, as Sheerwater struggled to find many openings and create any meaningful chances in the opening exchanges.

As the first half wore on, Sheerwater eventually broke the deadlock – a hopeful cross-field long ball from the right-wing was headed in by the home side’s towering striker. 1-0 to Sheerwater Sunday First.

In typical warrior-like fashion, Pavil wouldn’t give in. They battled tirelessly all over the pitch, maintaining discipline in defence, and showing glimpses of hope in attack. And for all their gruelling efforts, they almost found a breakthrough – a lapse in concentration from Sheerwater’s defence allowed attacking midfielder, Shaun Miles, through on goal, only for him to chip the ball into the hands of the keeper. HT score: 1-0, Sheerwater.

The searing heat and grippy surface meant players were already exhausted – so the second-half started with a number of changes to both line-ups.

Sheerwater persisted with their passing game but continued to find little in the way of opportunities on goal. Virtually, the entire second-half saw only a handful of chances at both ends of the pitch but nothing clear cut. Then, with minutes to go, Sheerwater netted their second, to seal the win. Final score: 2-0, Sheerwater.

A tough first fixture for Pavil Rovers FC, but one they will take many positives from. Onwards and upwards from here.