Bourton Rovers 1

Abingdon Utd Dev 0

Hellenic Chairman’s Cup, Semi Final

Bourton Rovers followed up their Gloucestershire Senior Amateur Cup semi-final victory by reaching the Hellenic Chairman’s Cup final on Saturday.

Manager Scott Powles brought Dan Smith back into the starting eleven as Connor Teague was carrying a thigh injury.

Rovers started well and dominated the possession against a physical Abingdon team but were unable to break them down. Abingdon then got a grip of the game and both midfield's battled for possession.

Rovers centre midfielder Danny Way was carried from the field after twenty minutes with what seems to be a serious knee injury.

Little chances were created in the first half as both goal keepers weren’t really tested. However, some really good football was on display at times.

The second half started with Abingdon pressing Rovers and as a result two good chances were wasted by them. The game then became a tug of wall match with both teams battling to keep each other at bay.

Rovers Chris Mills missed a clear header from a corner in the 78th minute which would have given Rovers the lead they deserved at that point of the game.

However, the missed chance was forgotten about in the 85th minute when Keegan Bowes delivered a perfect cross which inform striker Steve Nurse headed home from 6 yards. This was Nurse’s forth goal in two games following on from last weeks semi final hat-trick.

Rovers saw out the final few minutes with excellent defensive work by Callum Trott and skipper Phil Colmer.

Manager Scott Powles said after the game: “I am delighted with today’s result as we weren’t at our best but showed real desire to stay in the game. We had to be patient and we were reward after Keegan’s excellent cross was put away by Steve. We all send our best to Danny who has been excellent for us this season and his injury now gives the lads real motivation to achieve something this season as Danny is a big part of our club”.

Rovers welcome Faringdon Town to Rissington Road this Saturday as they aim to apply pressure on league leaders Moreton Rangers.