- by Richard Horrocks

A cold windy morning greeted Rovers and Hull for this top of the table clash at Cantley Park.

The first half started with Rovers playing into the strong wind. The blustery conditions were making it hard for both teams to gain any control in the match and there was nothing to choose between them in the first twenty minutes. A header from Lodge was easily saved by the Hull keeper then Kean, in the Rovers goal, had to be alert as the wind played havoc with the ball as shot came in from Hull.

Play swung from end to end then after 34 minutes, some good work by Lodge ended with Fairhurst being brought down in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and FAIRHURST stepped up and calmly put the ball past the 'keeper's left and into the net to give Rovers the lead. Rovers seemed to be coping playing against the wind and a shot from Bowland went just wide of the right hand post. Hull had their chances too but in difficult conditions Rovers just edged it in the first half to lead 1-0 at half time.

The second half started with Hull coming more into the game as both teams found it easier playing against the wind rather than with it, the Rovers defence had to be on its guard as a succession of Hull corners came to nothing. On 53 minutes a bad tackle by Shielis started an altercation with both sets of players with the referee stepping in to sort it out. Hull were trying hard to fashion an equaliser but Boyce and Duffy in the Rovers defence kept them at bay. Fletcher shot over the bar before good work by Henderson ended with a weak shot at the Hull keeper. Both teams had made substitutions as the game neared its conclusion. On 88 minutes a fine save by Kean in the Rovers goal stopped a Hull equaliser then on 89 minutes a bad mistake in the Hull defence allowed FAIRHURST to gain the faintest of touches to claim Rovers second goal.

The game ended with Rovers running out the winners in an evenly contested match spoilt by the conditions.

TEAMS :-
ROVERS- Kean, Hawksworth, Bowland, Griffiths, Boyce, Duffy, Hall, Shielis, Fairhurst, Lodge, Fletcher

SUBS - Fletcher for Henderson (65), Lodge for L.Nelthorpe (75), Shielis for Fisher (85)

UNUSED SUBS - Biggs (GK) - Conkleton

GOALS - Fairhurst 34 mins - 89 mins