Rovers continued the festive period with a draw against Torquay and a win at Nuneaton. We have picked up a great 13 points from a possible 15. I can’t remember a Christmas like this for Rovers!
Our first two games of the New Year were at home to Torquay (who we beat 2-1 on Boxing Day down in Devon) and away to Nuneaton who we also won against earlier in the season.
I thought we would have picked up all 3 points at the Torquay game so like many others, I was quite disappointed with the performance. At least we managed to win a point!
Torquay took the lead in the tenth minute with their big striker hitting home. Perhaps Trotman could have done better?
Rovers didn’t look at the races and there were lots of misplaced passes and long balls leading to nothing. We did create a few chances, our closest ending with Tom Parkes heading wide from a Jake Gosling corner. Half time it was 1-0 to Torquay.
The second half saw Rovers step it up a little bit, although they still weren’t at their best. They huffed and puffed, the Seasiders’ goalie pulled off a great save from Matty Taylor’s well struck shot and the keeper also saved well from Stuart Sinclair’s attempt.
Rovers’ goal came in the final ten minutes after Ellis Harrison seemed to have his shirt pulled by the Torquay defender. The linesmen flagged for the foul and after a consultation with the referee they decided it was a penalty! Understandably, the Gulls player who had committed the foul (and the rest of his team) were furious and surrounded the officials, leading to the Torquay defender being sent off. Up stepped Matty Taylor who fired home.
Rovers put the pressure on and looked for a late winner but couldn’t find the back of the net. We were lucky that the official’s decision fell in our favor and at least we were able to leave with a point.
Next up for Rovers was a trip to struggling Nuneaton where we won 2-0.The goals came from Lee Mansell and Nathan Blisset. The first goal was first given to Matty Taylor, but it has since been given to Mansell.
Mansell’s goal came after a shot from Blisset was parried, but unlucky for their keeper it fell straight to Mansell who poked it home. The second goal came from a corner by Jake Gosling and was met by the head of Blisset. Rovers could have had a few more goals with Blisset, Taylor and Sinclair coming close to adding more.
Once again the away support was brilliant and again we had more fans than the home side.
What a 3 points – this tops of fantastic Christmas period!
Barnet lost on Sunday so the gap is now only 6 points. Let’s hope we continue to close that gap! We’ve also conceded the least in the league which is amazing. I hope this great form continues for the rest of the season!
The transfer window is open again – who would you like to see us sign? I’ve been reading lots of rumours recently and today I’ve read that Jermaine Easter has been linked with the club. We were also linked with Matt Tubbs but he has since joined League Two side Portsmouth.