FA CUP SPECIAL
Sixth Sense followed the exploits of Bristol Rovers as they embarked on their eventful 2002 adventure.
Round 1 vs. Aldershot Town
Whenever the FA Cup carnival rolls into town, fever grips the supporters and players of non-league clubs desperate for a slice of glory and television money.
The FA cup is loved because it pits the giants of the football league against the minnows of the conference, with more than just an outside chance of victory.
When Aldershot Town of the Ryman Premier Division were drawn at home against Division Three strugglers Bristol Rovers, the directors must have been rubbing their hands with glee at the chance to oust a bigger club from the competition and in doing so increase their slice of the FA kitty.
Upsets were few and far between and the match at the Recreation Ground proved no different. 0-0 was the result in a dull encounter that did not liven up until the last few minutes.
With only three minutes remaining Aldershot’s Mark Watson was handed a guilt-edged chance No goalkeeper to beat and only a vague prod in the direction of the goal from four yards out required to send his team into the next round.
Instead of glory, all he got was despair as he fell under the ball, watching it scrape along his shin and bobble harmlessly wide.
Thankfully the replay proved to be a much better game, but that is not saying much .
Aldershot matched Rovers for most of the match creating as many chances as the hosts, but visibly tired as the game wore on.
Second half substitute Astafjevs’ pedigree shone through and handed Rovers the match.
The ball nestled itself safely in the corner of the net as the first goal Rovers had scored in almost 600 minutes of football went in.
Round 2 vs. Plymouth Argyle
At Plymouth’s Home Park, undergoing drastic redevelopments, only the main grandstand was open to witness a classic cup tie. In the first half, league leaders and favorites Plymouth took the lead through a well struck free kick after previously striking the bar and clattering the crossbar from previous attempts. Moments later Rovers were almost back on level terms as Ellington found space, only for his effort to strike the woodwork. After an inspiring team talk by Garry Thompson, Rovers took the game to the hosts, with the pressure paying off on the hour as Mark Walters fired home an equaliser from close range.
After this the match was real end to end stuff with both teams having their chances. Plymouth will feel aggrieved not to have progressed when a seemingly legitimate goal was disallowed for offside in injury time.
The replay was another outstanding display from Rovers who ran out deserved winners against an average Plymouth side who never the less carried a sizeable threat. After a goalless first half, Rovers went 2-0 up with Dutch striker Sergio Ommel converting from close range and Lewis Hogg hammering the ball into the top of the net.
Plymouth somehow managed to restore equity with two goals in ten minutes before capitulating and conceding a winning goal minutes from the end. A cross field ball was latched onto by Ellington who skipped through the defense to slot coolly into the bottom corner of the net.