UniBond League Division One
Cantilever Park, Warrington
Monday, 9th April 2007, 3.00pm
Happy Monday
This was another game of two halves with Warrington clearly on top for the first and Rovers having the better of the second.
Town almost grabbed the lead with hardly a minute on the clock when Kevin Hannon slung over a cross that Phil Howard flicked on but his header just cleared the bar.
Eight minutes later they went close again but Rovers keeper Tom Allan held Graeme Mitchell's long-range shot.
Town continued to press with Allan having to be on his toes. On 23 minutes Howard picked up Paul Harris's throw turned and fired towards goal where Allan again collected the effort.
Five minutes later it was Harris who went close when he fastened on to Hannon's header but put his shot just over the bar.
It seemed only a matter of time before Town would score and they should have done so on 32 minutes.
Mitchell played a ball through to Howard who was yards offside but the assistant ignored the fact and play continued. With only Allan to beat the striker tried to place his shot but the keeper did well to block the shot with his leg.
Rovers' first real attempt on Warrington's goal came on 35 minutes when Paul Edwards put a header just over from Nick Hawkins' corner.
That was only the respite of the first period as Town were back threatening the Rovers' goal but teenage keeper Allan was more than a match for their efforts.
Just before the break Rovers went close when a Russell Courtney free kick was only cleared as far as Nick Hawkins who smashed in a low drive that was deflected for a corner.
Tom Groves took the corner and the ball landed for Shaun Ridgway who put his shot wide.
Whatever Rovers' manager Gary Norton said to the lads at half time worked because they came out for the second period looking far more determined.
However, it was the home side that had the first chance of the second period when Hannon's shot flew just wide of a post.
Just after the hour mark a superb ball from Chris Archer sent substitute Patrick Bannister in on goal. Unfortunately he chose to try and return the complement for the Rovers' front man when perhaps it would have been better to have had a shot himself.
The cross was blocked by a defender and the rebound fell to Ridgway who's shot was also blocked.
On 68 minutes Archer almost got on the end of Bannister's cross but Town's keeper Karl Wills just managed to get a touch that took the ball away from the striker.
Just as it looked that the match would fade out into a goalless draw Rovers grabbed a late winner.
On 83 minutes some good work between Archer and Bannister provided Groves the chance of hitting a terrific low shot past Wills and into the bottom corner to send Rovers back to South Derbyshire with smiles on their faces.
Manager's View
"I felt we deserved it on our second half showing. It was a horrible game in the first half and we just didn't get going.
"They had the most clear-cut chance, from the most offside position you could ever see, and Tom (Allan) has made a smart save with his feet.
"We lacked ideas and allowed their midfield to run the game by not getting tight enough.
"The second half was totally different and I don't remember Tom having to make a save. We should have won by more.
"I was pleased for Tom (Groves) he deserved his goal.
"He has found himself out of the side recently with us having brought a number of players in. But he has been very professional about it and has shown fighting spirit to come back in and win the game for us."
"Pat Bannister was the difference for me when he came on as all of a sudden we had a threat in behind them with his strength and pace.
"The goal came from him chasing a lost cause and I am dead pleased for the lads as we've had a tough time recently."
