Luckless Rovers just fall short (From Gazette Series)

Luckless Rovers just fall short

Wotton Rovers 1 Highridge United 2

WOTTON just did not get the rub of the green and were disappointed to end up with nothing from this game.

Mike Shaw missed an early chance after a one-on-one with the keeper but it was Highridge who scored first, though not until the 40th minute, when their left winger knocked in a cross which was only partially cleared and hit into the back of the net by a sweet volley from the edge of the box.

Second half Wotton were looking to get on top, with new signing Lee Pritchard from Chalford causing problems up front.

But totally against the run of play, Highridge broke away, two Wotton defenders got in each other's way, and the visiting centre forward stabbed the ball home for 2-0.

Wotton responded straight away from a penalty for handball, with Owain Clement scoring from the spot.

Manager Jake O'Neill sent on twin strikers James Sherwood and Steve Nicholas to go three up front but was unable to rescue anything, with Wotton particularly unlucky when Pritchard was denied a penalty after he was pulled back chasing a long ball into the box.

Assistant manager Stuart Freeman was generally happy with Wotton's football but felt there was a lack of communication in defence which needed addressing.