27/04/2008

I will deliberately keep this report short, as I will find it difficult to come up with any positives on a dismal day for Cashen Rovers. For only the second time this season the 'B's couldn't muster a goal, well at the right end anyway. For some reason we gifted Highgate three own goals at the other end.

Rovers believed they had a very good chance of securing the league double over Highgate, though this was undone in the first minute, when referee Mr Nathan decided that Rob had fouled an attacker and pointed to the spot to everybody's (including Highgate's) amazement. The resultant penalty was struck well and into the bottom corner to put Albion 1-0 up before the majority of the Cashen players had touched the ball.

It was 2-0 within minutes when Rovers failed to push up on Steff's shout, leaving an Albion player with a free header, that gave Staunton no chance. Shortly after, it was game over, when a mix up between Steff and Staunton resulted in Steff heading the ball into the top corner. Rovers didnt really create anything of note in the first half, other than a few half chances, and they deserved to go in at half time 3-0 down.

Just after the switch around, Bobby came on for the injured Guy, and slotted in well at centre half. Cashen enjoyed their best spell of the match, as the game opened up with Albion going all out to boost their goal difference. Though again other than a few half chances the final ball was missing.

Mr Nathan's decision making wasnt getting any better and it was no suprise that the Highgate keeper questioned whether he was a partaker in 5 finger massages. However the yellow card that followed should really have been a red, and this could have been the luck that Rovers needed. The luck was definitly with Highgate and it was soon 4, when Jay, now playing in midfield turned the ball into his own net.

Highgate's sub made it 5 when he broke clear after Steff had taken on 4 men in the middle of the park, and to be fair to him his finish was sublime, though blatantly a fluke, as when he broke free again a few minutes later the same player managed to shin it out for a throw in! To cap Rovers Sunday off, Highgate made it 6, with another possible own goal, the debate is still going on about who it came off, a few have said it was the unlucky Jay, though the player in question denies it.

The only other thing of note was Steady getting poleaxed from point blank range and Shoresh failing to convert a few chances at the end, but the sooner Rovers forget today the better, as I think it was our worse performance of the season. Cashen were second to every ball, and didn't deserve to take anything from the game.