Poor first half costs Rovers

United Counties League Division One

Eynesbury Rovers 0 Bugbrooke 2

AFTER an excellent opening day draw at Daventry Town, Rovers slumped to a disappointing home defeat against Bugbrooke.

Two first half goals were enough for the visitors, who took advantage of a performance player-manager Dean Shipp labelled 'very disappointing'.

Rovers started relatively brightly with David Morbin, Jon Cole and Laurence Revell all having shots blocked during a scramble following a Stuart Humphreys free-kick.

However, a lethargic performance allowed the visitors to stamp their dominance on the game and they took a 21st minute lead when John Dawson's cross was tapped in by Dave Drinkwater at the far post.

Bugbrooke hit the post five minutes later during a goalmouth scramble but Dan Brown's 33rd minute goal put the away side two goals up.

A rocket delivered to Eynesbury at the break improved the performance but Bugbrooke continued to create chances.

Tom O'Brien, Dan Brown, Gavin Richardson and John Dawson all came close for the visitors until the introduction of Ian Dawkes and Kriss Watters sparked a Rovers revival.

Watters was involved in most of Eynesbury's good play, making the most of his height and physical presence to fashion four attempts at goal.

A shot from a corner, one from the edge of the box, a header from a corner and a diving header from a cross were all efforts that summed up Eynesbury's day - close but not close enough.

Shipp, who played in goal due to Danny Workman's absence, said: "Too many players were not at the races for us on Saturday. I believe that it is possible to carry one or two players who are not at the top of their game but when it is the majority of the side you are always going to struggle."

Next up for Eynesbury is a visit to Northampton Sileby on Saturday.