Rovers live on after standing on precipice
ROVERS are perhaps as few as 180 minutes away from achieving something totally unknown to them – winning the old Jeremie Cup.
But how they survived to fight a semi-final is something Belgraves, 2-0 up at half time and leading with the clock striking 89 minutes, will wonder with bemusement.
This was some turnaround by Kevin Gillease’s side, who also lost their best defender, Tobi Oluborode, when two down, but clearly there is nothing wrong with the fighting spirit of the ‘Soifers’, who went ahead early in extra-time and finally clinched a last-four spot with a last gasp Carlos Canha strike.
Nine seasons have past since Belgraves won the old cup - first played for in 1902 - for the 10th and most recent time.
In contrast, Rovers have never got sight of the old trophy, having yet to appear in a final, their development into one of Guernsey’s powerhouses having coincided with the domination of the Caesarean clubs and, notably, mighty St Paul’s.
A Belgrave might argue that Rovers’ luck stretched from the first minute to the 120th.
In the very opening minute Sam McKenzie was presented with a glorious opportunity to put Bels ahead, but his finish was weak and nervous, allowing Adam Bullock to block.
Yet, within a couple of minutes it was largely forgotten as Bels forced a corner on their right and Ryan-Zico Black’s deadball was beautifully headed home off the underside of the crossbar by an unchallenged Charlton Gauvain.
Falling behind spelt trouble for the initially sleepy visitors who were without Fin Whitmore in central attack, an absence which meant Canha being pushed further forward.
Rovers went close themselves when Sam Hall weaved some magic coming along the byline, but Gauvain was often causing havoc and the greatest problems around the park, not least in the air where a second header from a Black corner flew narrowly wide.
In the shape of Oluborode Rovers had an aerial threat of their own and his close range header was turned around for a corner and before Bels could clear their lines James Grundy was fizzing a fine effort onto the top of the woodwork and over.
Rovers gradually found some rhythm to get on top and force a string of corners.
Bels were thankful for the excellent covering of Damian Le Tocq on a couple of occasions, and by the midpoint of the opening half Rovers’ midfield was showing too much energy for their longer-toothed counterparts.
Bels were always dangerous on the break though and given a helping hand by sloppy defensive work Bullock was required to bale out his colleagues with a smart block from McKenzie.
Within a minute and with 38min. on the clock, Gauvain raced clear and while Bullock was able to get hands on his shot, the ball fell neatly into the path of a supporting Joby Bourgaize who fired home from close range.
There was a further blow for Rovers with the sight of an injured Oluborode limping off just before the break and having played some neat stuff, their Jeremie hoodoo was looming ever larger.
They badly needed to score next and Canha very nearly did just that on the verge of half time, robbing Black at a free kick and having raced away slid his shot just wide.
Bourgaize hit the post as Bels pushed for a third during a positive start to the second period, but it was Hall who hit the target first, forcing home from close range after an electric burst by Martin Savident down the left flank.
The visitors still had another 36 minutes to find an equaliser, which very nearly came quickly, Canha beautifully setting up Howitt whose strong header was brilliantly palmed away one handed by Riley.
It was an early save of the season contender for sure and at the other end Bullock showed his own qualities with a decent near-post block to deny Gauvain finally shutting the door on Gillease’s side.
Bullock then again saved from the once Bristol City linked man, who drove in off the left touchline and tried to beat the keeper at his near post, but there was also a late scare for Bels when Louis Graham came close to converting at the far post.
Bels seemed to have ridden it out, but on 89 they failed to clear and Blair Howitt forced home the equaliser.
Canha almost won it in stoppage time but it was soon into extra-time and eight minutes into that Grundy saw his deflected shot, leaving Riley floundering, and finding the corner.
Sub Jack Domaille hit a post before Rovers broke to grab that fourth right on time.
