Makeshift Rovers earn impressive point at Rothwell

UCL Division One

Rothwell Corinthians 1 Eynesbury Rovers 1

A MIRACULOUS strike from the halfway line earned Eynesbury a point at Rothwell.

Rovers were a goal behind when Ricky Taylor took advantage of a poor clearance by home goalkeeper Brad Wilson to score in an empty net.

The equaliser came in the 41st minute, 10 minutes after Rothwell's Dave Townsend had given his side the lead with a shot from just inside the penalty area.

Rovers fielded a makeshift side with Danny Butterwick making his first team debut and Lea Wood and Kevin Anderson making rare appearances.

It was the visitors who had the first attempt on goal but Ian Dawkes' long range shot from the right went wide of goal.

Sam Johnson headed wide for Corinthians and had a glorious chance to score but with just Danny Workman to beat he overran the ball and it went out for a goal kick.

At the other end, a James Dove shot had Wilson at full stretch to keep the ball out before Rothwell took a 31st minute lead through Townsend.

Eynesbury almost equalised eight minutes later when Scott Kingsbury's free kick was headed against his own post by defender Kevin Fox. However, Rovers went in level thanks to Ricky Taylor's long range strike.

After the break chances were few and far between. Ian Dawkes was Rovers' main threat as they looked to hit Rothwell on the break. He forced a save from Wilson before hitting the crossbar with a shot midway through the half. Rothwell had their share of possession but Danny Workman dealt comfortably with any ball into the box.

Towards the end of the match the game became niggly with a number of players picking up yellow cards. Just 16 minutes after coming on for Phil Cox, Tony Ielapi kicked Scott Kingsbury in retaliation and was sent off for Rothwell, leaving them down to 10 men for the final six minutes.