Derby goalless at half time

From the This Is Swindon Town FC, first published Saturday 24th Nov 2007.

TOWN 0 ROVERS 0

VISITORS Bristol Rovers had the best of a tense first half at the County Ground which finished goalless.

Rovers almost stunned Town in the first minute when skipper Stuart Campbell played in top scorer Rickie Lambert and the striker lashed a right-foot shot against the crossbar.

Three minutes later Campbell's inswinging free-kick was flicked goalwards by Danny Coles but Peter Brezovan gathered easily in the Town goal.

Michael Pook had the Robins first effort on goal after eight minutes, but his speculative long-range shot flew well wide.

Jon Paul McGovern then fired straight at Rovers gloveman Steve Phillips from Craig Easton's knock down after Christian Roberts had delivered a free-kick from the left.

Brezovan was called into action again after 13 minutes when Campbell played in Sean Rigg and the big Slovak made a fine double save at the striker's feet.

Rigg brought another save out of Brezovan on 25 minutes, wriggling free from Jack Smith and Jerel Ifil before firing a tame left-foot shot goalwards.

Ifil then found himself in a shooting position next to the Rovers' penalty spot but fired high over the crossbar after the visitors had failed to clear.

Town wasted a glorious opening on the half hour mark when Brezovan's long punt downfield saw Simon Cox clash with Steve Phillips. The ball broke to Roberts with Phillips running back towards his own goal, but Roberts' shot-cross was wasteful.

Rovers centre back Steve Elliott then headed just over from a Campbell corner as Rovers threatened again.

With seven minutes until half-time, Lambert fed Rigg and he cut inside Miguel Comminges and shot straight at Brezovan.

At the other end, the ball broke to Cox on the edge of the Rovers' box, but the on-loan striker dallied too long and the visitors cleared for a corner.

In first half stoppage time, Town failed to clear another corner and Disley volleyed at Brezovan to bring the half to a close.

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