Rovers were today emphatically beaten by Division 1 Champions-elect and old rivals St Annes Ex-Service.
Hampton were to down to bare bones today and kicked off the game with only 10 players. Long-term absentees Howarth, Morton and Watt were joined by Waters and Taylor who were both unavailable and also Yardley, Coward and Woolcock who failed to turn up.
Within minutes Rovers were 2-0 down and then down to 9 men for a few minutes until manager Billy Watt introduced himself to the game (in the famous number 7 shirt) to bring the Blues back up to (reasonably) full complement.
At half time the score was 5-0 but with a very strong wind at their backs perhaps Rovers could pull off a miracle fight back. Within minutes Chris Nay scored a wonder goal and the Rovers fans thought the come back was on until St Annes stepped up a gear..... the final score ending 9-1.
The lack of a full 11 players cost Rovers dearly today and with a full strength side to pick from, manager Billy Watt would have fancied picking up points from today's game but again, the manager was let down by a few players who didnt turn up for another important games. Turning up for cup semi-finals is ok but its the league campaign that determines how good a side really is, something the Rovers have failed to shine in so far.
