‘Depleted’ Rowner Rovers score ‘nicest’ Mid-Solent League victory in their two-season history against Segensworth

Head in hands time as a Segensworth defender gives Rowner an early lead with an own goal. Picture: Kevin Shipp

The Gosport-based club had taken an early lead in the Division 2 encounter when a Segensworth defender scored what Rovers boss James Dedman described as a ‘cracking’ own goal.

Segensworth hit back to lead at the interval through Ben Mason and Aaron Hamilton.

The latter was on target from the penalty spot after Rowner’s stand-in keeper, Alex Hall, had been penalised for a foul.

Segensworth take a 2-1 lead against Rowner from the penalty spot. Picture: Kevin Shipp.

Hall, normally a centre half, volunteer to stand between the sticks after Dedman had experienced a frantic few days.

‘During the week we had about three different keepers, then our centre half ended up going in goal,’ he reported.

‘It reminded me a bit of last season, and I was a bit worried going into the game.

‘We were a bit depleted - we only had 13 players, the smallest squad we’ve had all season.

Stand-in Rowner keeper Alex Hall gives away a penalty during the win against Segensworth. Brad Ferrand is on the right. Pic: Kevin Shipp.

‘It was a ding-dong game, it was hard-fought.

‘I was proud of the boys. It was a nice win, probably the nicest of the ones we’ve had so far.’

After losing all their games in a debut 2019/20 campaign, Rovers have now won three matches this term.

Jack Hunt hauled them level against rock bottom Segensworth, with a header that went in off a post, before Forrestall - on the bench as he was late arriving - struck the winner.

Next up for Rowner is a match against leaders Carberry at King George V this weekend.

‘I’m hoping we’ve got a keeper,’ said Dedman. ‘We’ll certainly need one against them.’