Rovers are Happy Easter Bunnies

There are so many potential captions for this photo, I'll let you make your own.

5th met 6th last weekend, as Melchester travelled back to Chalabalova to take on Last Minute. With (some of) the reds fresh from a punishing midweek training regime, confidence was high - seemingly justifiably so as Matt Smith opened the scoring early in the first half with a looping, bouncing wobbling shot that the keeper somehow contrived to miss completely. Quality immediately followed though, as Gio opened his scoring account with a drilled shot from outside the box, and it seemed Rovers were off to a dream start.

However, having already given up a 2 goal lead twice in the same game 2 weeks before, Melchester could not relax - especially when Last Minute fought back and began to pressurise the red's goal. And when Robin Smith's high boot smeared his opponent's nose across his face to give Last Minute a penalty, there were some worried faces on the Melchester bench. Step forward goalkeeping hero Julien Costea, who dived to his right to make a perfect save. But drama followed, as the referee declared (correctly) that Costea had left his line before the kick was taken.

Take two, and again no problems for the Romanian, not only saving but also clearing to safety, and Roy Race could breath easily once more.

With that drama over, Melchester pushed forward again, and after some elegant build up play Holland's crossfield pass found Pagliaro on the back post, who slotted home with aplomb.

A three goal lead would have suited Racey's men at half-time, but it was not to be as Last Minute responded with a goal before the break that kept the tie alive going into the second half.

With the referee allowing no physical challenges whatsoever, the 2nd period never really got going until late on. Last Minute were given hope when a long hopeful ball forward was met by Mestanek, whose headed clearance was somehow good enough to beat Costea for an historic first Melchester own goal. Despite the WAGs on the touchline convinced that own goals don't count, at 3-2 the last few moments looked decidedly iffy for Racey's men.

Until:

Matt Smith's late effort restored the 2 goal lead, and was again followed up with a 2nd from Gio, to put the tie beyond any doubt.

Three points keep Melchester Rovers in touch with The Big Four, whilst also ensuring 5th place is relatively safe:

A win against Merdeux on Wednesday would keep the pressure on Dynamo for that last playoff spot.

Last Minute 2 - 5 Melchester Rovers (1-3HT)

CosteaJ, MestanekM(o,g.), SmithM(2), Gio(2), KimbrellC, PagliaroJ(1), HollandP, SmithR, DaviesR

Man of the Match - Julien Costea