Great Wakering Rovers throw away half-time lead to lose at Thamesmead

From Bayliss Avenue

Ryman One North

GREAT Wakering Rovers threw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2 against Thamesmead Town.

Jacob Cleaver and Alberto Pinto had Wakering in command at the interval, but a quick-fire double and a late winner left a sour taste in manager Gary Ansell’s mouth.

Rovers were looking to do something they hadn’t done so far this season, win back-to-back matches in the league.

Last weekend’s 1-0 win over Redbridge was a real morale-booster for Ansell’s men and they were impressive against Thamesmead, a team who still had faint play-off aspirations.

Jacob Cleaver, who got the decisive goal last weekend, got the first inside the first 15 minutes this time around, finishing well under pressure.

The second came five minutes from half-time, and it was a first league goal for Alberto Pinto, the recent acquisition from Basildon United.

But, after such an accomplished first-half display, three minutes of madness saw Thamesmead pull level.

Paul Vines got his first 10 minutes after the break, and the same man made it 2-2 just 80 seconds later.

And a miserable second period was rounded off with just 10 minutes remaining. Theo Fairweather-Johnson scored to make it 3-2 and complete the turnaround.