DMW October 2, 1999

"CINDERFORD'S chairman said they committed daylight robbery and we should have won by five or six goals. But when you look in the Sunday papers, the result is still 0-1.''

Until Rovers start taking chances and winning home games, or the Dr Martens League introduces points for domination, Steve Daley will remain a very frustrated man.

Conceding one goal and scoring once in the last three games has cost his side five points, though he believes their luck will turn, and soon.

"We're not that far away. We've tightened up at the back, the midfield work well together and we're creating chances,'' he said.

"If we can put a run together, there's no reason why we can't still get out of this league.''

Daley's optimism after Saturday's defeat at the Victoria Ground is understandable. After falling behind to an early goal, the Greens kept their heads up, shoulders back and played their best 'football,' (and I use that word sparingly when referring to this division) this term.

Cinderford were ahead after only ten minutes. A high, hopeful cross fell just right for defender Kris Lewis, who headed wide of keeper Derek Dudley's reach from ten yards. Dudley grudgingly scooped the ball out of the net, his only noteworthy action that afternoon.

The siege began almost immediately, but for all Rovers' huffing and puffing in and around the box, they failed to draw level.

Ian Cooper went closest during first half injury time, stinging keeper Paul Weeks' fingers with a well struck left wing corner that nearly crept in at the near post.

Kicking down the slope, the home side, lacking Bowater, Winstone and Ball and with Congrave pushed back down the park to centre half, tightened the thumbscrews.

On 56 minutes, an unmarked Cooper was inches away from connecting with Ryan Daley's low, hard cross at the back post.

The situation was then reversed as a perfectly placed Daley headed off target when well placed on two occasions, both from Cooper crosses.

But if anyone deserved a goal, it was Tom Davies, who silenced his critics with a hard-tackling, creative performance in midfield.

An open net loomed large for the ex-Walsall man when Cinderford only half cleared Cooper's 72nd minute corner, but a red shirted defender fell onto his low shot. Drat and double drat.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Davies, Congrave, Dodd, Cooper, Benbow (sub Bannister 75), Wright, Daley, Bytheway. Subs (unused): Radburn, Cummings.

Attendance: 270. Rovers man of the match: Tom Davies.