Poor finishing costs Rovers two vital points

Match report from Andy Harris

Match sponsors Poplar Insulation Limited of Bishopsworth

http://www.poplarinsulation.co.uk/

Match ball sponsor K. Price Insulation Limited of Whitchurch Tel-0117 9407775

Rovers missed an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders with some dreadful finishing, particularly in the second half, as points were shared in this local derby.

The home side began well with Ashley Caldwell testing the visiting keeper in the 3rd minute and Town defender, John McAlindon, being forced to head over his own bar from a dangerous right wing cross from Kane Ingram. Rovers should have taken the lead on 11 minutes as skipper, Alex ball, picked out Neikell Plummer but the young striker failed to hit the target with his header. Robbie Claridge suffered a similar fate minutes later as he got on the end of an Ingram cross. Yate keeper, Adam Growcott, produced a fine save from Plummer on 25 minutes and 10 minutes later, much against the run of play the visitors went ahead.

Having conceded a corner on the Yate right, the Rovers’ defence failed to pick up Mark Reynolds who headed dome from near the penalty spot, completely unchallenged.

Just as it looked as though the visitors would hold the advantage at half time Rovers grabbed a bizarre equaliser. Ingram did well to win the ball in defence, just on the edge of his own box and sent a long ball down the line to Chris Lane who looked up, saw that Growcott was inexplicably well off his line, in no mans land and calmly lobbed the ball home off the far post.

Joe White had an opportunity to restore Town’s lead in injury time but having gone clear he pulled his shot across Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips and wide of the far post.

Rovers piled on the pressure after the resumption but it was 57 minutes before they created a chance as Claridge blazed his volley high and wide after a great pass from Phil Waters. Claridge then headed wide from a Charlie Rich cross. However Claridge almost turned provider on 69 minutes as his header set up substitute and debutant, Matt Cooper, but his 18 yard effort was tipped over by Growcott. From the resultant Rich corner Cooper somehow headed over from 6 yards with the goal at his mercy. Ingram then had two great chances to win the game but on both occasions having been through he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Rovers almost paid the maximum penalty for their wastefulness in front of goal as on 90 minutes Zayne Simpson’s left wing cross was headed into the side netting by Rovers’ defender, Ollie Price. From the resultant corner White saw his shot cleared off the line by Claridge.

There was still time for one more home attack during which Ingram went down under a challenge just inside the penalty area but Rovers’ claims for a penalty were turned down and the points were shared.


Teams: -
Rovers: Phillips, Ball (C), Rich, Tyrrell, Price, Caldwell, Waters (Cousins 61 mins), Lane, Claridge, Plummer (Cooper 61 mins), Ingram
Subs not used: Milsom, Jeffries, Hemmings

Town: Growcott, Warren, Stewart, Burt, Thomas, McAlindon (White 53 mins), Cox (Bath 85 mins), Vahidd (C), Reynolds, White, Simpson
Subs not used: Hughes, Robbins, Shallcross

Referee: Richard Hulme
Assts: Adam Ricketts / Mike Hall

Attendance: 270

Star Man: Kane Ingram (Rovers)

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