Wanderers have had a steady start to the season but have yet to hit top form so it was obvious that they would have to up their game if they wanted to get anything out of a tough early morning away trip to Biddulph. Rovers comprehensively beat Wanderers in both encounters last season where an abacus was required to keep the score. Therefore the Rovers management team invited the sky cameras along to today's game in anticipation of another goalfest.
Wanderers started the game with the bit between their teeth and were clearly in no mood to be rolled over. The defensive line was strong and the back three didn't give the impressive Biddulph attack a sniff. Godbold and Day began to pull the strings in the middle of the park and Golder, Purchase and Philcock looked a constant threat on the counter attack with their electric pace. As the half wore on Wanderers looked the more likely team to break the deadlock and the warning signs were there for Rovers when Day lashed a screamer into the top corner only for the ref to rule it out for an infringement. This appeared to make Chase more determined to collect his goal bonus and he gave Wanderers a deserved lead on 20 minutes much to delight of the travelling fans. Wanderers could have extended their lead moments later with both Golder and Philcock flashing shots wide of the post but Rovers then reminded the visitors of their quality creating two very good chances of their own. Hargreaves, Beale, Wagstaff and Etchells fought like the Knights Templar though and were determined to protect the Holy Grail of a clean sheet. The game was finely poised at the half time break and it was clear that both teams were like finely tuned heavyweight boxers both capable of delivering a knockout blow at any moment.
Rovers were kicking down the hill in the second half and this allowed them to build up some momentum and an equaliser was on the cards before it eventually came. It would have been easy for Wanderers heads to drop but they fought on like Trojans and re-took the lead on 48 minutes when Golder bundled the ball home. The game then began to resemble a basketball match with Rovers on the attack one moment and Wanderers on the counter attack the next. The crowd were on the edge of their seats, the atmosphere was tense and the sky cameras were being delivered up a football feast. Wanderers stubborn resistance was creuly broken late on in the game when Rovers snatched an equaliser after some precision wing play from the hosts. The plucky visitors weren't done though and they could and should have taken all three points when three guiltedge chances were created and spurned in the dying minutes of the game. They then had to rely on their captain and talisman, Etchells who pulled off an awesome save when it looked easier for Rovers to score which capped off a fine individual display and earned him the man of the match award. The referees whistle brought an enthralling game to an end with both sets of fans going home happy and entertained. It may have been a draw but it was definitely a banger in Biddulph.
