Calm restored as Rovers show flashes of potential

9:36am Wednesday 8th August 2007

NOW, that's more like a pre-season friendly!

Tame and occasionally one-paced, only glimpses of the full potential these two sides possess were on show.

For Rovers, however, it went some way to rinsing away any bad taste left by Thursday night's Battle of the Valley'.

There may not have been any goals to show for it, but the Greens were able to resume development on what has been a feature of their encouraging pre-season - crisp, passing football.

First team coach Ron Mellor, in charge for Saturday's game in the absence of manager Rod Brown, said in his programme notes that this has been an integral part of preparations for the step-up to the next level.

"As a squad we are trying to get the ball down and pass it successfully and I must confess this part of our play has developed considerably during pre-season," he said.

And it is hard to disagree. After calling the tune against Worcester City, passing Stourport Swifts off the park for long periods and more than holding their own against a young Fulham side, Rovers are looking an attractive proposition.

Blue Square North outfit Alfreton offered another chance for them to try and pit their wits against higher opposition.

Again Rovers were well prepared, and came close to taking an early lead when Kevin Banner's curling left-footed shot was turned around the post by visiting goalkeeper Alexsanro Barcherini.

Alfreton's Laurie Wilson was unlucky to see his volley rattle the post, but the Rovers woodwork wasn't the only obstacle preventing the deadlock from being broken.

Frustratingly, no less than four goals were ruled out by the referee's assistant for offside.

Rovers trialist Keith Russell was the first to have an effort disallowed out when he dispatched Gary Hay's through ball.

Alfreton's Matt Glass suffered the same fate twice in the second half.

He tapped in Kris Bowler's cross from six yards two minutes after the restart, and was caught offside again after dispatching a pass from substitute Scott Ellis.

Greens hitman Nathan Lamey was perhaps the most unfortunate not to give his side the lead.

He pounced after Barcherini spilled Paul Lloyd's deflected long-range effort, but yet again the linesman raised his flag.

While this was hardly a robust friendly, with both substitutes benches being light due to holiday commitments, either team could well have edged a result.

But more telling was another example of Rovers' strong acclimatisation when squaring off against open and attacking footballing sides, as opposed to the muck and nettles' style adopted by some of last seasons opponents.

It should stand them in good stead, and with another worthwhile workout under the players' belts, Rod Brown can return from holiday in the knowledge that his Premier Division blueprint is progressing.

ROVERS: Lewis 6, Lloyd 7, Petty 6, McHale 6, Spittle 7, Alsop 6 (Lamey 7, 45 mins), Bridgwater 7, Dyer 6, Hay 6, RUSSELL 7, Banner 7. Unused: Summers.

ALFRETON: Barcherini, Henshaw, Barnard, Wilson, Winder, Wilson, Douglas-Pringle, Brown, Richards (Ellis 57 mins), Glass, Bowler. Unused: Hannigan, Lindley.

Referee: M.Amphlett.

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