Teversal Reserves v Ashland Rovers

Six pointer goes the way of Rovers as we go backwards form the Matlock performance.

A bottom of the table clash at home to Ashland Rovers and we were looking to close the gap on the team just above us in a genuine six pointer. A number of changes from the midweek encounter against Matlock as we went into the game with a new centre defence paring of new boys Tom Laister and Aaron Rhodes, Gaz Atkins returned in centre midfield to replace Steve Mallinder who stepped up to the first team. Joe Fox returned to right side midfield and another new boy Miles Thirnwell to left side midfield.
With a strong wind blowing in favour of Ashland in the first half the game started at a sedate pace and Tevie genuinely lacked any bite or motivation in the early stages. Ashland had the first chance on 7 minutes as a ball over the back four found Hubbard who could only shoot high and wide. It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Tevie found any attacking intent as Thirnwell left his wing cutting in on the right to play Fox down the line, he cut along the byeline but his cross was weak and straight at the keeper. Two minutes later Tevie earned a corner on their left, Rowley took and his inswinger smacked the Asland post before a follow up effort by Fox was blocked
Ashland took the lead in the 19th minute when a quick throw out from Bowdler to Rowley came unstuck as Rowley cut back inside before trying to play through to Fox, his pass was cut out and quickly played through to Paul Revuelta who took his shot well and 0-1 Ashland. Tevie tried to respond and good work by Thirnwell as he cut in from the left before delivering a cross that Fox couldn’t get on the end of.
Ashland’s Triance should have done better in the 31st minute when he headed narrowly wide from a corner. Tevie should have equalised a minute later when good play from Lavelle found Rowley who played Fox clean through, he showed good pace as he bore down on Adam Revuelta in the Ashland goal but could only find the side netting. And that’s the difference between the teams as a few minutes later Ashland increased their lead. A long bouncing ball wasn’t cut out Bowdler made the save but could only block to Hubbard who nipped in to finish well and 0-2 Ashland.
With Tevie looking very sorry for themselves Ashland took full control as again from a bouncing ball Bowdler and Lavelle got into a right mess and once again Hubbard nipped in to make the score 0-3.
In terms of footballing ability there was nothing between the teams but in terms of mistakes and desire the gulf was massive. At half time the boys were going to get the full Bower hair drier.
Half Time: Teversal Reserves 0-3 Ashland Rovers
No changes at half time. Having had a rollicking at half time Tevie came out with better energy for the second half. Within a minute Rowley had a chance but he slipped at the wrong moment when Fox picked him out with a cross. Rowley again went close in the 57th munute when he fired wide when on the turn. Teversal finally pulled a goal back in the 60th minute when Rowley outstripped his defender on the left before crossing for Fox to fire home from 5 yards and make the score 1-3.
Boden had picked up a knock and was replaced with Agbakosi in the 64th minute and he seemed to bring more energy to the Tevie team. Agbakosi looked to have earned a stonewall penalty in the 67th minute when the defender came right over the back of him in the box only to be waved away by the referee and this turned out to be a crucial period as Ashland broke forward only for Laister to take the player in the box for a penalty to Rovers which Revuelta calmly smashed home for 1-4.
Tevie replaced Black with Summers in the 70th minute and four minutes later pulled another goal back when Rowley swung over a corner the keeper dropped it under pressure for Agbaksoi to finish through a crowd of players and despite protestations form the keeper the score was 2-4.Teversal went to three at the back and despite lots of effort, a disallowed Summers goal for offside and a Fox shot that flew narrowly wide the score remained the same.
A better second half once again by Teversal but silly first half mistakes had cost us the game when we didn’t manage the wind and bounce of the ball as well as Ashland did. We will have to do more against Blidworth on Tuesday.
Final Score: Teversal Reserves 2-4 Ashland Rovers
MOM for Teversal: Ben Agbakosi – off the bench to breathe life into the team.