Rovers suffered heatbreak as a goal ten minutes from the end gave rivals Fremantle Utd a place in the final at Members Equity Stadium

In a match in which Rovers dominated for long periods, Fremantle took their chances to book their place in the final against Spearwood.

Rovers’ biggest game of the season couldn’t have got off to a better start, Flavio L’Abbete curling in a delightful free-kick from the edge of the area after only ten minutes. Rovers continued to have the upper hand throughout the first-half with Wayne and Glenn Brooks in particular causing the Fremantle defence problems.

At times Fremantle were stretched to breaking point but the delivery of the final, killer ball seemed to elude Rovers and despite their dominance of possession they failed to create too many clear cut openings.

As Fremantle began to settle the big crowd – the vast majority of which were supporting the Hoops – recognised the need for another goal but it failed to materialise. Just before the break, and with Mark Kelly’s head injury leaving Rovers temporarily down to ten men – a defensive lapse resulted in the United striker finishing coolly past the helpless Matt Saliacus.

As the second half started, Rovers appeared to have regained the ascendancy, again taking the game to Fremantle. As in the first half misplaced passes were proving costly and the Fremantle defence were quick to crowd out L’Abette, Kelly and Craig Jones when all had the ball at their feet on the edge of the box.

Fremantle began to press themselves and Rovers, perhaps feeling the effects of tough recent matches away to Lynwood and Spearwood, looked tired.

With just under ten minutes to go, Fremantle sprung. Another long punt forward was met by the pacey striker from what looked like a dubious offside position. The flagged stayed down and his first time finish gave Saliacus no chance.

Rovers threw everything into the closing moments, but still struggled to create a clear opportunity. The closest they came was from a Richie Partridge header that flashed past the back post in stoppage time.

So a team who looked destined to make the final after improving dramatically in the second half of the season must begin to look to next year and the improvements that need to be made.