Having suffered two heavy defeats over the Easter period, Wakering produced a much-improved performance at a high-flying Uxbridge side who have only just missed out on Ryman Division One North promotion.

In an entertaining affair, only top quality displays from the two goalkeepers, Rovers' Dave Hudson and his home counterpart Daryl Pelton, kept the scoresheet blank.

Uxbridge came close to drawing first blood with Stuart Goodall putting one effort wide and then being foiled by two brave dives from Hudson.

The village visitors responded with a 34th-minute Mark Hampshire scissor kick which Pelton dived to save at the foot of a post.

That man Goodall was threatening again after 39 minutes with Hudson again foiling him with another diving save.

But Wakering might have opened their account on the stroke of half-time when Keith Wilson, fed by Hampshire, did well but saw his shot clear the bar.

Rovers again missed out just after the restart when top scorer Dan Trenkel played a neat one-two with Hampshire but scooped his effort wide.

With the match entering its closing stages either side could have snatched a goal.

Wakering's Greg Heighway dribbled round two defenders but saw the home keeper push his shot round the post.

Then Jamie Cleary shot over when well placed for Uxbridge.

Wakering skipper Danny Scopes twice forced Pelton to save from headers and the keeper also kept out a Dave Collins shot.

Rovers, who have enjoyed a solid first season at this level, finish the campaign next Saturday with an attractive home match against big-spending Hornchurch who, having clinched promotion on Saturday, could be coming to Burroughs Park needing to win to claim the title.

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

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