Rockville keeper shines in cup clash

USQ forced to work for FFA Cup win as Rockville keeper holds them at bay.

HARD PASS: Rockville keeper Hayden Chalmers saves at the feet of USQ attacker Cormac McCarthy. Chalmers shone for Rovers in their 2-1 FFA Cup loss to USQ at the weekend. Picture: Nev Madsen

FOOTBALL: China and Rockville Rovers had one thing in common at the weekend - a great wall.

China's wall is more than 21,000km long. Rockville's is a ginger haired goalkeeper by the name of Hayden Chalmers.

Chalmers was a standout in Rockville's 2-1 FFA Cup loss to USQ FC at the weekend - defying a forward line that threatened to run rampant.

USQ FC coach Matt Proctor had high praise for the Rockville shotshopper after the match.

"He was outstanding - man of the match,” Proctor said.

"I don't think there was a part of his body that he didn't use to stop a shot or make a save during the game. He was determined.”

Peppering "the wall” with shot after shot Proctor said his side's failure to convert their chances proved costly during regular time.

"He (Chalmers) was great in goal, but we were also our own worst enemies at times,” Proctor said.

USQ's Keegan Dixon heads the ball away during his side's FFA Cup game at the weekend. Picture: Nev Madsen

"We failed to convert our chances and that cost us when they equalised.”

Trailing 1-0 Rockville equalised in the 92nd minute sending the game into extra time.

Fitness proved to be the difference in the end as USQ edged out a fading Rockville.

"We didn't play with the same level of intensity that we have this season,” Proctor said.

"In the end I think we just handled the extra 30-minutes a little better than they did. That (fitness) is what got us over the line.”

CUP SCORES

Kingaroy df Warwick 6-2

USQ df Rockville 2-1

Willowburn df Gatton 3-2

West Wanderers bye

Originally published as Rockville keeper shines in cup clash