Leaders Beaten

17th June - Doncaster Rovers 4-3 North Caulfield

Goals: Gareth Tanner, Trevor Bird (2), Karl Pimlott

North Caulfield arrived at Anderson Park on Sunday with a 100% record, having won their first six games. Rovers were looking for a change in fortune after two defeats and were determined to get something from this game.

Rovers started the game in confident fashion and pushed North Caulfield back in the first five minutes winning two corners which they were unable to convert. North Caulfield caused problems on the counter-attack with long balls hit in the direction of their skillful forward before Rovers opened their account. Ian Branch picked up the ball in midfield and played a centimetre perfect ball inside the fullback for Ashley Stevenson to run on to. He cut the ball back across the area for Gareth Tanner to slot home from ten yards.

North Caulfield responded with two goals before half-time to take a 2-1 lead but Rovers were certainly not overawed by their table-topping opponents and went close to equalising before half-time.

Rovers came out fired up for the second half and were back in front after ten minutes with two well taken goals by Trevor Bird. The first was slotted under the advancing keeper after latching onto a long ball from Ben Vernes in defence. The second was created by Michael Kil who beat his man before squaring the ball for Trevor Bird to slot home.

The drama continued as North Caulfield scored a third with ten minutes to go but Rovers battled on an Karl Pimlott scored from close range in the final minutes to give Rovers a well-deserved and morale boosting victory.