Eynesbury Rovers  v Bugbrooke St Michaels (UCL Premier Division South) on Saturday, October 12, report by Graham Mills.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Eynesbury Rovers who fell behind to an early goal but could not get back into the game. The final score was 0-1.

Fourth from bottom Bugbrooke came into the match with a new manager, Scott Carlin, and he marked his first game in charge by getting shown a red card late in the game. 

Bugbrooke took a fifth minute lead when a defensive error gave Romeo Ingman the ball and he ran into the box to score with a low shot.

Soon after, Rovers had Sam Roach to thank for pushing behind a Ingman free kick. Victor Osobu was sent clear down the right by Michael King but the Rovers’ number 10 could only hit the side-netting with his effort.

Later he came close to equalising for Eynesbury as he weaved his way into the penalty area but his shot came off the foot of the post. 

Leon Fulianty volleyed an effort over the bar and Osobu had a shot blocked before Bailey Weatherly was denied by Roach at the other end. 

At the end of the half Rovers suffered the blow of losing their influential captain, Michael King, to a hamstring injury and he was replaced with Josh Howard-Dobson. Then in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Bugbrookes’ Ben Dimond was sin-binned ensuring he missed the opening 10 minutes of the second half. 

After the break, the hosts created more chances. Three minutes in, a pass by Steven Shaw picked out Lewis in the box but he was stretching for the ball and could only divert it wide.

Micky Ibbeson made saves from Lewis and Dan Hammer before Fulianty missed the goal from a free kick on the right.

Jordan Stevenson was the second Rovers player to see a shot come back off the woodwork when he hit the near post in the 70th minute.

Ryan Lewis shot inches over the bar from a free kick just outside the penalty area whilst for the visitors a 30 yard free kick by Ingman had to be held by Roach.

From a Rovers corner Hammer headed over and in the 93rd minute Osobu missed Rovers last chance for a later equaliser when his free kick from the edge of the box went over the bar. 

Next up for Rovers is a home UCL fixture on Tuesday,  October 15 when Sileby Rangers are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm.