Rovers Close Gap With Come From Behind Win

Rochedale Rovers 3 (Mojica-Rodrigues 28', 72'; Cameron 35')

Mitchelton 2 (Mitchell 4'; Njie 12') HT: 2-2

Played at Underwood Park

Rochedale Rovers came from behind to defeat Mitchelton 3-2 at Underwood Park on Saturday evening and close the gap on their top four rivals.

Both sides entered the game missing key personnel. Rovers were without injured duo Scott Sargent and Paul Mooney whilst Mitchelton were missing suspended players Jason Shade and Nick Bernardi as well as injured Josh McVey. Jose Mojica-Rodriguez's 72nd minute strike proved to be the winner after both he and Lewis Cameron had clawed Rovers back onto level terms in the first half after the hosts had one of their typical slow starts, allowing Mitchelton to take a 2-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour. The scoring opened with Jacob Mitchell who capitalised on a terrible back pass from Darryl Grant for his keeper Brandon Cuminao which Mitchell chased down and poked the ball home before Cuminao could reach the ball. Mitchelton had a good opportunity to extend their lead minutes later when Ben Njie was fouled on the edge of the box by Ryan Faichnie and much to the bemusement of Rovers defender Phil Davies who exchanged words with his fellow countryman. The resulting free kick not troubling Cuminao. But five minutes later, Mitchelton's top scorer notched his 10th league goal of the season when he showed persistence to retain the ball, beat two defenders and drill the ball low across Cuminao into the bottom corner courtesy of a slight deflection. It looked as though it would be a tough night at the office for Rovers but they rallied and started playing the better football, limiting Mitchelton to long ball tactics. Eventually Rovers' enterprise paid off when just before the half hour, Mojica-Rodriguez pulled a goal back when he managed to sneak the ball home from a corner with Mitchelton keeper Kevin Downes looking wrong footed. It didn't take too much longer before the hosts were back on level terms with a superb strike from Cameron who received the ball near the edge of the box and produced an unstoppable shot that bulged the back of the net. Mojica-Rodriguez was denied by the feet of Downes shortly before the break. The Mitchelton custodian managing to stick a leg out and clear the striker's effort which looked goal bound. Rovers continued where they left off in the first half as they threatened the Mitchelton goal early in the second half. Cameron going close with another fierce drive that Downes finger-tipped over the bar, although no corner was awarded.

Rochedale's Jose Mojica-Rodriguez on a goal bound run.

As the half wore on it was beginning to look as though both sides would take a point but with less than 20 minutes remaining, the home side completed the fight back and got their noses in front. Mojica-Rodriguez did well to break free of his opponent and head towards goal but just as he look set to shoot, Sam Foster timed his challenge superbly and got the ball away for a corner. But the Mitchelton defence were flat footed when Cameron whipped the ball in to Mojica-Rodriguez on the edge of the six yard box who swivelled before guiding the ball beyond Downes for his second on the night and more importantly, nudging Rovers in front. The visitors went in search of an equaliser and went close approximately 5 minutes from the end. Myles Carseldine with a pin point cross that Njie stopped for, but his resulting header went narrowly over the bar. It would prove to be his final involvement in the game though when he picked up a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Davies and leaving his side short for the final few minutes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mitchelton continued to press and were met by some resolute Rovers defending that did well to first block Kensho Yoshikoshi's shot on goal and then a double block to deny Chris Swain and Yoshikosi again. Rovers held firm though and with the ball at the wrong end of the park for the visitors, Referee David Walsh signalled full time to hand Rovers their 6th win of the season and close the gap to one point off of 3rd placed Mitchelton. It was deserved win on the night with Rovers looking the more dangerous when on the ball but they need to work on the slow starts to a game which will eventually prove costly. For their part, Mitchelton played well in patches but Coach Leo Sirianni will rue the opportunity missed after having started so brightly. Next week will see the Mustangs host Logan FC which last season proved to be one of the most viewed games of the season on FB Media TV.

Meanwhile, Rochedale travel to Whites Hill Reserve where they face 2nd placed Holland Park Hawks which will undoubtedly be an intriguing clash. FB Media Player Of The Match: #2 Phil Davies - Rochedale Rovers.

Did a great job of containing Mitchelton at the back but just as impressively, gets forward on numerous occasions and helps create opportunities for his side which provide a useful weapon from the back.

Team line-ups Rochedale Rovers: Cumninao (gk), Cameron, Cheshire, Davies, Faichnie, Gore, Grant, Howell, Mojica-Rodrigues, Nagata, Shizuno. Subs: Floyd (rgk), Wilson, Ackland, Jakopovic.

Mitchelton: Downes (gk), Chester, Fitzgerald, Foster, Griebsch, Griffin, Mitchell, Njie, Carseldine, Sarasol, Yoshikoshi. Subs: Wenck (rgk), Lawson, Stubbins, Swain, Willoughby.

FB Media Match Stats. Possession: 1st Half 51% - 49% / 2nd Half 52% - 48% Overall Possession: 51% - 49% Shots on target: 5 - 2 Shots off target: 4 - 5 Free kicks: 23 - 14 Offside: 2 - 3 Corners: 4 - 2 Yellow Cards: 3 - 2 Red Cards: 0 - 1