Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 31






* * *
Vernon Eliot was preparing his Melchester Rovers side for the most important match of the season;
fourth plays fifth, as Portdean visit Mel Park. Rovers had fallen to fifth after a home defeat to third
placed Kelburn and now only victory against old rivals, Portdean, would keep Champions League
qualification possible. The Rovers first-team were deep into an intense training session. It was
Melchester tradition to train as hard as possible before a big game, the players had to be mentally
ready and each exercise was designed to keep players match-sharp.
Derek Mostin was working closely with Drew Powell; Jake Cheetham was still in Sweden recovering
from his knee operation, so the Welshman would continue in the more advanced playmaking role.
Mozzie had been one of the most gifted attacking midfielders of his time, Powell was not naturally
suited to the position, but the coaching staff believed he could adapt. Drew was not quick and his
shooting was somewhat wild, but he was built strongly and had a great range of passing, both long
and short, incisive or possession based. Since moving into Cheethams position, Eliot had been
pleased with Powells performances. He had scored XXX goals and provided three assists. In fact, if
he continued with the same ratio of goals and chances created, his statistics would far exceed those
of his accomplished club captain. Okay, Drew! We need to work on your shooting, its the one area
where Jake really beats you. Too many of your shots end up closer to the River Mel than the goal!
The innovative skills coach had set up, what he called a rebound wall, which consisted of a five-a-
side goal frame, with the springs from a single bed attached to the posts. When he fired the ball into
the springs they would rebound at varying speeds and angles. The idea was to replicate clearances
or passes away from goal to the edge of the area. Mostin preferred his bed as it removed any
element of help or predetermination that occurs if he was to pass the ball himself. Ready? Mozzie
asked, before waiting for a reply, he had shot the ball into the springs, it flew out towards Powell
and bounced off his right shin, I wasnt ready! Drew moaned, You wont be asked if youre ready
on Sunday! Mozzie shouted back as he shot another ball. This time Powell swung his left leg at the
ball, he connected with a fine slice, the ball squirting off towards the left corner flag. Dont worry,
son, its supposed to be difficult; theres nothing easy about Premier League football!
Powell continued with the exercise, Harry Jacobs and Richie Lyons had joined him. They were all
struggling, but as with all Mostins training exercises, progression was obvious. Mark McDermott,
the third choice goalkeeper, was now working hard. For the first five minutes he had not had to
make a save of any difficulty, but now he was flying to his left and right, making good saves and
picking the ball out of his net on a regular basis. Vernon Eliot was watching closely, I dont believe
how Mozzie does this! the manager said to Gerry Holloway, Its remarkable! The three players are
showing such rapid improvement. How about we get everyone to have a go when hes finished?
Holloway ducked as a wild shot from Jacobs right foot sped just over the management teams
heads. It will be a bit of fun. Its been a hard session, call over the others!
Mostin wrapped up his exercise and went to carry off his modified goalpost, Not yet Mozzie! I want
everyone to get a shot, the best one wins a bottle of champagne! The entire first-team squad lined
up to shoot at McDermott. The young Northern Irish goalie was keen to impress, he had not made a
senior appearance this season, but had spent a brief spell on loan at Redpool in the Championship,
where he played well in four matches. Okay guys, let go! Line up in squad number order!
Miguel Piedra was first up, his shot dribbling straight to the keeper. Lamidel was next, he hit a
cracker, very similar to his fine goal against Holverton, the ball lashed into the top corner. Nick Batty
opted for a controlled shot, but the pace on the pass was too much and the ball bounced off his
ankle instead of the instep; it went well wide.
Next up was big Danny Jones. The centre-back stood further back than the others, Im imagining
that Im running back after going up for a corner! He span as quickly as he could, which after a long
training session was rather slow, this time the ball was bouncing and spinning, he charged towards it
and smashed an amazing volley that cracked off the crossbar. The players all let out an exaggerated
Aaaaaaah! and rushed towards the big man, who had ended up on the ground, Richie Lyons and
Drew Powell were sprinting clear of the others, Bundle! shouted Powell, No! No! Jones
screamed at them. In the excitement no-one had noticed that Danny was in some pain, holding his
right knee, Stop! Im hurt, man! Stop!
Luckily the bundle was prevented and any further damage to Danny Jones leg avoided. Get the golf
buggy over here now! barked the manager, We need to get Danny inside, check it out! The
defender looked distraught, Nothing to check boss. Its gone, Ive had it. Its the same injury as
before, I cant remember what they called it, but I know thats me finished! Eliot could see the pain
in the big mans eyes, Probably, man, but weve only three matches left this season. Youll be
alright! Jones shook his head, No, man! I mean proper finished, Im not gonna play again, I know
it!
* * *


Everpool took a step closer to fulfilling Bobby Booth's pre-season promise of
Champions League football as they swept past Eastgate to move seven points clear
of fifth-placed Melchester Rovers.

The Blues produced a devastating display of attacking force, Steve Grayson opening the
scoring by tucking in a 14th-minute opener after Aron Uras's shot was saved.
Ivorian striker Uras then fired in his 14th goal of an impressive season after another fine
sweeping move, and South African Samuel Cronje forced Miguel Amador into an own goal
after the hour mark to complete the scoring.
Everpool's front four, which included early substitute Ricky Lloyd, purred throughout and at
times reduced Eastgate's defenders to a squabbling mess.

It was another humiliating day in the port city for the Dockers after their 5-1 drubbing at
Everpool in February in the F.A. Cup. With The Blues having played one game fewer than
Vernon Eliot's side, a place in Europe's elite competition for the first time since 2005 is now
in their own hands.

The Blues still have to face Melboro and Carford City at home, but the manner in which they
beat Eastgate will give supporters the belief that chairman Booth has delivered on the
pledge he made to Blues fans at the start of the season.

Substitute Andy Potts hit the bar late on for the Dockers but where Eastgate's attacks dithered,
Everpool's forwards were powerful and precise. The hosts were assisted by an enforced early
substitution when Lloyd came on to replace the injured Lee Donald, who suffered concussion and
needed five stitches in his face after a foul on Sylvain Bernard for which the Everpool man was
booked.

England international Lloyd slotted into the number 10 position, as Uras moved to the right.
And the switch shaped a first half in which Everpool laid the foundations for their fifth
successive victory.

Full-back Liam Roberts had already found Grayson in space once before the opener, and
when he picked out Uras soon after, Szymon Wicinski's save was to no avail as the
onrushing Gryason converted from the rebound.

The Scotland international - promoted to the starting XI after coming on to score in
Everpool's 3-0 win at Redstoke in midweek - moved into a more advanced role after Lloyd's
introduction, as the hosts continued to bear down on Eastgate's goal.

The visitors were limited to a trio of efforts from Lucjan Wozniak in the first half and their
keeper Wicinski found himself far busier than Everpool counterpart Travis Bryant - the Pole
had already made two fine stops from Cronje and Lloyd before the hosts extended their lead.
The ball was swept out to Uras on the right and he steamrollered his way towards the
Eastgate penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

The visitors belatedly applied some pressure of their own early in the second half as Nando
Navarro fired across goal, while Andrew Rees looked bright on his first appearance since
Boxing Day.

But with little serious sign of a comeback, Everpool sealed the win with a goal for which
Cronje deserved the credit
.
The midfielder dispossessed Bernard, raced forward and, after Grayson was thwarted by
Wicinski, followed up to pressure Amador into an own goal, completing a miserable day for
the Spaniard against his former team.

But for the Blues this convincing victory leaves them sure of Champions League qualification
if Melchester Rovers are beaten by Portdean at Mel Park on Monday evening.



Storky Knight
NEXT Can Rovers avoid defeat at home to Portdean and keep alive their slim hopes of
Champions League qualification?