Bristol Rovers Fan’s View
Aldershot Away Saturday 11th October
Written by Wayne Collins
On the short train ride from my home in Surbiton, my brother and I discussed and debated what result we would be happy with. We both agreed we would be happy with a point, although three points would be amazing!
After the train ride we walked through Aldershot town centre and headed towards the stadium. It’s a relatively short walk so in no time we were at the ground. As those of you who have been to Aldershot will know, to get to the away end you have to walk all the way around the stadium and up a big hill, but when you reach the top there is a pub so we thought it would be rude not to have a beer or two.
The pub was rammed full of mostly Rovers fans mixed with a few Aldershot fans, but there was a positive atmosphere and the bar staff were really friendly. After a couple of drinks we made our way into the ground. The walk to the away end is through a forest and it felt like we were on a country walk instead of going to a football game. That is until we got through the turnstiles and into the ground – it was packed!
The game kicked off with Rovers shooting towards the Rovers fans who yet again travelled in numbers to support the boys – over 1200! Incredible support!
Rovers went behind in the 16th minute with Aldershot scoring from the penalty spot. From where we stood it was hard to see if it was definitely a penalty, so I would be keen to know your thoughts if you were there! Rovers got the equaliser in the 42nd minute with a goal from Andy Monkhouse after he cut in front from the right and his shot took a deflection and flew straight past the keeper.
The game was 1-1 at half time
Rovers went ahead in the 68th minute when for the second game in a row the lively Matt Taylor scored from the penalty spot. As in the first half we couldn’t really see if it was definitely a penalty, but we will take it!
Rovers soon made a sub and brought on Daniel Leadbitter. He looked very good going forward and made a few decent runs down the right. Rovers wasted a golden opportunity to go 3-1 up when from a good move the ball got played across to David Martin who rushed his shot and it went too wide. To be honest he could and should have taken a touch. Martin didn’t look his normal self and wasn’t really at the races. I’m sure it was just an off day as he does usually impress me. If we had scored that goal I honestly believe that it would have been game over.
On 75 minutes the game was all square again after Martin brought down the Aldershot attacker on the edge of the box. Up stepped Roberts who scored a brilliant free kick. Shortly after, the Aldershot goal scorer saw red for his second yellow of the game. I must admit, when they went to ten men I thought we would nick it, and we could have had Lee Brown’s free kick not have been saved by their keeper. Aldershot equally could have nicked snatched it at the death with their player hitting the bar from a header following a save from Steve Mildenhall.
The game finished 2-2 which was a little disappointing, but as I said before I was happy with the point. It is frustrating considering we were winning with 15 to go, but it was nice to watch an action packed game of football. My only real concern is that we still aren’t scoring enough goals to make an impact. I mention this every week, but surely the goals will come flooding in soon?
I don’t think we have hit top gear yet – the last few games have been lacklustre and we have looked a bit sloppy. Having said that, as long as we are winning then that’s something! I guess sometimes you have to win ugly.