ESL Cup: ROVERS 2 - 3 LONDON BARI

Rovers slipped out of the Essex Senior League Cup after an entertaining encounter at Burroughs Park.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg at Clapton’s Old Spotted Dog ground, a Rovers recovery was always going to be a tall order, and it was London Bari who had the first sight at goal. Eljam Worrell warmed the fingers of Louis Godwin-Green as the visitors looked to finish the tie almost as soon as it had started. Rovers responded when Luca Frankis was presented with a chance but fired wide.
Rovers surged forward in search of a route back into the tie, both they and their supporters believed they’d found it when player-manager Dan Trenkel’s effort beat Bari keeper Joe Egan only to be hacked away clearly from behind the goal line. Incredibly, the referee’s assistant ruled that the ball had not crossed the line and the visitors survived.
The moment of controversy had lit the fuse; the game was now on edge with both sides showing extra determination and willing. Jay Nash went close for Rovers following a great cross from Jimmy Webb, while Bari’s Danny Tenkurang caused the home side problems with his lightening assaults down the right flank.
Great Wakering almost went ahead after twenty-five minutes. Danny Heale latched on to a long ball forward, but just cleared the crossbar with a clever lob.
The home sides’ failure to break through proved costly. After twenty-eight minutes, Bari’s Patrick Songe-Damali scored an incredible goal with an audacious effort from close to the halfway line, had it been scored in the Premiership we’d have been watching it on our TV screens for the next decade!
Rovers responded when Stuart Hepburn headed over a Dave Collins corner but they almost fell further behind as Tenkurang’s electric pace took him clear before the Bari man shot wide across the Rovers goal.
As half time approached, Jay Nash missed a glorious opportunity, shooting into the side netting, however, right on forty-five minutes Webb crossed from the left and Danny Heale was on hand to slot home his fourth goal for Rovers since joining from Canvey Island.
The goal had clearly buoyed the home side, but London Bari who started the second half the brighter and almost took an early lead. Worrell found Tenkurang whose delicate chip hit the face of the Rovers cross bar. Then Godwin-Green had to react quickly to deny Leslie Thompson after the Rovers custodian had attempted to usher the ball back into his area.
Nevertheless, Bari had the bit between their teeth, another fantastic strike, this time from Worrell, restored their lead and as good as killed the tie in the process.
The visitor’s were in control. Thompson set up Songe-Damali who drew a smart save from Godwin-Green, then Tenkurang fired wide as Bari threatened to run riot.
Any slim hopes the home side harboured of a comeback disappeared in the sixty-ninth minute and once again, it was an excellent goal. Tenkurang sent Leslie Thompson away with an exquisite reverse pass and the striker beat Godwin-Green with a cheeky finish. Soon after Bari almost added a fourth but Stephen Opoka’s low shot was saved by the feet of Godwin-Green.
Rovers rallied in an attempt to salvage some pride. Danny Heale tested Bari keeper Egan with a speculative strike, then he fired another chance wide after jinking his way past the visitor’s rearguard.
Egan then made a fingertip save from Heale as the pair continued to duel, while substitute Dan William headed wide as the home side continued to press for a consolation.
Rovers finally pulled another goal back when Lewis Sparrow thundered a header beyond Egan from close range, but it was too little too late for the home side.
London Bari can now look forward to a semi final with Bethnal Green United while the Rovers, disappointed not to have taken at least half of their chances, will look to push on with their quest for promotion, starting with visit to Barkingside at the weekend.

Rovers; Louis Godwin-Green, Jake Gibson, Stuart Hepburn, Dan Trenkel, Lewis Sparrow, Nathan Fletcher, Jimmy Webb, Luca Frankis, Danny Heale, Jay Nash, Dave Collins.

Rovers Subs: Dan Williams, James Pugsley, John Mbamarah, Gary Ansell.

Rovers Man of the Match; Danny Heale