Wednesday night saw the first local ‘El Classico’ between us and our local rivals Southend Manor in the Essex Senior Cup.
Both sides went into the game knowing that a big club could be facing them next as ,in the draw to be held on October 4th with, Southend United and Colchester United enter the mix.
The game also saw three of our summer signings, Gary Paterson, Jay Smith and Aaron Baldwin facing their former club for the first time. It would have been four however Adam Seal had left in the week to join Maldon and Tiptree. Adams place would be taken by Concords reserve goalkeeper Ollie Bowles while Rovers searched for a replacement for the long term. It was also a return to Burroughs Park for former Rovers Max Drury and Dan Williams both now wearing the Southend Manor colours.
It didn’t take long for this derby to get going when on two minutes a slip by Lewis Sparrow gave a chance to Jamie Williams who slotted the ball home past Bowles for an early 1-0 lead to Manor.
However Rovers responded immediately when Manor gave away a free kick for handball. A great delivery from Dave Collins was met by Gary Paterson who put the ball away for 1-1. A great response from Rovers.
The game went from end to end and it wasn’t until fifteen minutes the next chance came when Paterson thundered a twenty five yard free kick off the underside of the crossbar and out. Rumour has it the bar is still shaking!
On twenty four minutes Aaron Baldwin and Max Kent combined well and a superb Kent delivery was headed in by Paterson to make in 2-1 to Rovers.
This was a proper cup game and Manor hit back two minutes later with a penalty given away by George Artemi which Tom Newell tucked away. 2-2.
Manor pressed for the next few minutes with both Dan and Jamie Williams going close but it was Rovers who hit back next with a penalty of their own after a nasty challenge by Richard Alabaster on Joe Skeels. The defender was very lucky to receive just a booking. Pato stepped up to take the penalty and blasted it past Priddle for his hatrick. Three goals in thirty three minutes for the Rovers hitman.
Both sides continued to attack with Dan Williams going close on forty four and a shot by Joe Skeels producing a superb save from Priddle in the Manor goal and as the half time whistle went it was Rovers 3-2 Manor.
The second half continued in the same way the first ended and it only took five minutes for the visitors to draw level when Dan Williams scored to make it 3-3.
Rovers made a change on fifty five when Billy Radley was replaced by James Pugsley.
Three minutes later Rovers struck again when both Paterson and Sparrow attacked a superb cross and bundled the ball over the line. It was hard to see who put it over however the goal was later credited to Paterson for his fourth of the game. Rovers 4-3 Manor. What a game!!
Manor then had their second penalty of the game given away by Lewis Sparrow however Mark Sisson’s attempt hit the post and went to safety. This seemed to deflate Manor.
Rovers made another two changes with Ash Hawkins on for Joe Skeels and a few minutes later Dan Trenkel came on for Jay Smith.
Trenkel’s impact was almost immediate when some great work down the right set up a fifth for Rovers with Paterson tucking the chance away. Five for Rovers and five for Pato. Rovers 5-3 Manor.
The game then produced very little with both sides tiring after this frenetic derby and Rovers made the game safe when that man Paterson rounded of a superb evening by netting his and Rovers sixth. Rovers 6-3 Manor.
The goal fest was bought to a halt seeing Rovers go through however Manor gave a really good account of themselves tonight and left the supporters of both clubs looking forward to the following Wednesday when the two teams meet in the league at Southchurch Park for El Classico II.