NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Lethal Dom Lawless to the rescue as Eynesbury Rovers see off struggling Sileby Rangers
Dom Lawless hit the only goal as Eynesbury Rovers’ beat Sileby Rangers. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Dom Lawless is his name – and scoring goals is most definitely his game.
Eynesbury Rovers’ striker Craig Smith is denied during their home clash against Sileby Rangers. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
The leading marksman in United Counties League Premier Division football struck for the 39th time this season as Eynesbury beat struggling Northampton side Sileby Rangers last Saturday.
It was a test of Rovers’ patience as they had to wait until the 69th minute to make their solitary breakthrough when Lawless converted a Jordan Brown cut-back from close range. He netted for the sixth successive match in the process to ensure Eynesbury stayed sixth in the standings.
Visiting goalkeeper Dom Roggero had regularly kept Rovers at bay before then by pulling off a catalogue of fine saves. Even when he was beaten on two occasions, an early Jack Uttridge header was cleared off the line and a Dan Draper shot struck a post.
But Lawless eventually made the vital breakthrough for an Eynesbury side who now entertain Premier Division bottom side Oadby this Saturday.
Luis Vieira impressed during his Eynesbury Rovers’ debut against Sileby Rangers. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Manager Mark Ducket, who was not present at the fixture after undergoing treatment on a long-standing back problem the previous day, said: “It sounds like another case of us showing a bit too much respect to a struggling team.
“We’ve been struggling to train due to the wet weather and that showed in the performance by all accounts.
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“But the main thing is picking up the result and we’ve always got a good chance of getting a goal with our attacking players.”
The victory against Sileby came complete with a clean sheet for debutant goalkeeper Aaron Butcher, who joined the club from Yaxley. Ducket also handed a start to fellow new recruit Luis Vieira following his arrival from Cogenhoe.
Eynesbury Rovers’ ace Jordan Brown battles for the ball against a Sileby Rangers opponent. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Butcher’s former club Yaxley are Rovers’ opponents in a Hunts Senior Cup semi-final at Hall Road on Tuesday night.
Ducket’s men are attempting to defend the county crown they famously won last season when beating higher-level neighbours St Neots Town in the final. The Saints are already through to the showpiece again this season.
Eynesbury also entertain Yaxley in a Hinchingbrooke Cup semi-final next month. That clash has been scheduled for March 20.
Rovers have confirmed they will appeal the seven-match stadium ban received by Ducket.
Midfielder Hayden Bream in the thick of the action for Eynesbury Rovers’ home clash against Sileby Rangers. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
As reported by the Hunts Post last week, Ducket was charged by the Hunts FA with two counts of improper conduct. They concered his dismissal from the dugout and alleged comments to the match officials during a December draw at Wisbech Town.
It is understood that he will be free to attend Rovers’ game in the meantime until the appeal is heard.
