Bristol Rovers Fan’s View
Forest Green Rovers Home 18th Oct 2014
By Wayne Collins
Saturday saw us lose our first game at the Mem against Forest Green Rovers, our first loss in 10 games! Unfortunately, due to work commitments I couldn’t get back to Bristol in time for the game but my Dad was keen to fill me in on what I had missed. I’ve heard mixed accounts of the game – someone said we were unlucky throughout, and then some one else said it was the worst performance ever. And there has been lots of negativity!
Rovers lost the game 1 nil. Former Rovers’ defender Danny Coles scored from a corner bundling home from close range. According to reports Rovers created a few chances; with Taylor missing a one on one. Rovers went down to 10 men with Leadbitter seeing a straight red after a challenge on a FGR player.
Regardless of the day’s result I don’t understand all this panic and doom and gloom. We’ve lost 1 in 10 and we’re within touching distance of the top. Yes, Barnet have a slight advantage at the top but why can’t we catch them up? As I’ve said in a previous review, I don’t think we’ve hit top form yet! We’re not scoring enough goals and maybe on a another day we would have beaten both Aldershot and Dover but this is the nature of the game.
We are yet to see the best of former Salisbury City man Jamie White. He has been on the bench most of the season as he’s not been fully fit, but I’m sure when he’s recovered he will start scoring goals for us.
Rovers were in action in the Gloucester FA Senior Cup against Gloucester City on Tuesday 21st. Rovers fielded a side of youth players and a few from the first team players along with Harry White, a striker on trail from Banbury. Rovers won the game 2-1 with Jamie White and Harry White both on the score sheet. Hopefully Jamie can take this into the next game and kick start his season. I think it’s good we’re looking at players down the footballing pyramid and hopefully he will be given another chance to prove himself soon.
We’re at the right end of the table this season. Yes, it’s the Conference, but I bet I’m not the only one who has been surprised by the level some of the teams have been playing at?!
Next up for Rovers is the fourth FA Cup qualifying round away at Dorchester Town on Saturday 25th.