The
match kicked off at the Hawthorns with Mildenhall looking bright early on. Some neat passing in the midfield almost led to
the first chance but was well intercepted by Ross Crouch who was playing in the centre of the midfield instead of his natural
defensive position. Mildenhall continued to pressure Rovers and were awarded a free-kick in the 6th minute which
saw Stephen Spriggs hit the post. Rovers had been slow out of the blocks but Harrop and Crouch in the centre of midfield began
to pass the ball about well resulting in more dominance for their team. In the 14th minute Mildenhall proved Rovers
could not stop concentrating for a minute when Matt Robinson smashed a long-range effort at goal but Church saved well to
push it out for a corner. Rovers once again imposed their dominance in the match with some flowing football. They were rewarded
in the 38th minute when the best move of the match saw Ray Turner knock the ball out wide to Jermaine Harewood
who served the ball up on a plate to Rob Thorne who smashed home the finish to put rovers one up at the break.
Half Time
Rovers 1
– 0 Mildenhall
The
second half started at a slow pace with neither side threatening the opposition’s goal. In the 55th minute
Mildenhall were unlucky not to draw level as Church acrobatically kept a powerful header from Owen Paynter of the line. As
Mildenhall continued to pressurise Rovers they were awarded a penalty when Mark Gaisford was judged to have handled the ball
in the area. Matt Robinson stepped up but a superb save by Church kept his side one up. The match was becoming stretched in
the later stages as Mildenhall attempted to snatch a point an this was the beating of them as a long ball over the top was
latched onto by the pace of Sam Newson who rounded the keeper an tapped into the open net.
