The return of Jack Aitchison

Looks close to our strongest xi, barring one or two. Kyle Kelly amongst the subs, so looks like that loan deal has gone through.

 

Kelly not there on FB sheet...

 

Kelly now removed off X team sheet?

 

LM

Very weird. Seems so. Will see when I get up there!

We will observe a minute's applause before kick-off to celebrate the life of Kevin Keegan.

 

Underway here in GL6 - Captain tonight Kyle Ajayi.

 

4' | CLOSE! Macca is tee'd up by Etaluku, his effort is fired wide of the goal, though.

 

8' | Kamwa fouls Campbell in a dangerous position. Macca floats the ball into the area, which is out for a goal kick

 

10' | GOAL !!   The ball is floated in from a corner, and Mellor is there to guide it past Southwood! FGR 1 - 0 Bristol Rovers

 

11' | Etaluku nearly puts us two up, stinging the palms of Southwood.

 

18' | GOAL !!  It is a really smart play from Rovers, lovely link-up play between Macca and Berry.

          Macca plays the ball around the corner for Berry, who runs onto it to calmly slot it home!  FGR 2 - 0 Bristol Rovers

 

22' | The boo's ring out around The New Lawn as the game is stopped for a hydration break.

 

26' | Macca creates some space in the middle with his shirt being pulled; ref waves advantage.

         His ball cannot quite find the run of Berry as Southwood gathers.

 

28' | Another lovely through ball from Macca, this time for Etaluku.

         The winger is played through, with his effort being fired straight at the on-rushing Southwood.

 

35' | Macca fires one from the edge of the D, which is saved! And then Berry tries an audacious chip which is just wide.

         These two have been excellent.

 

40' | Etaluku shows brilliant footwork to glide past Moore.

 

41' | Close from Keng! The left-back is played through on goal; his effort is wide, though.

 

45' | Two minutes of added time are signalled.

 

H/T Forest Green Rovers 2 - 0 Bristol Rovers

 

 

LM

Hydration break 😂 game's gone

No Ricardo Rees tonight? Apologies if mentioned elsewhere...

Could easily have scored five or more. Very encouraging.

I think RS mentioned something about a tight calf? Shouldn’t be out for too long

Bristol rovers have been as poor as FGr have been good. They simply can’t deal with pace down either side - and their out ball is a big hoof which our two very big Centre backs clear with ease. Berry looks very very good alongside Macca. Nellie has been really good up top as well.

we should be 5 up though - some poor finishing - hopefully sharpen our scoring boots with these friendlies.

suspect a lot of changes second half - as Bristol rovers need to do something to hide an embarrassment!

Sean is looking rapid. Acres of space down the right. Kyle is running the show as usual.

46' | No changes for Rovers to start the second half.

 

47' | Ajayi goes close with a headed effort.

 

50' | Rovers have started well again here; some really nice passages of play.

 

51' | Etaluku with another effort, which is parried away by Southwood!

 

53' | Etaluku plays in Berry; the opposing defender, Moore, has to get back to see it out of play.

 

55' | Great block by Keng to deny a shooting opportunity for James.

 

56' | A really good shift from Sean.

 

On:  Conteh

 

Off:   Etaluku

 

58' | Loads of subs!

 

On:  Pemberton, Merrett, Kircough, Robson, Walsh, Haughton, Clarke, Mitchell, Bonnick (Late addition).

 

Off:  Obi, Ajayi, Agina, Kengni, McAllister, Berry, Mellor, Ewing, Campbell.

 

66' | Off the post! Mitchell's effort cannons off the post.

 

67' | Haughton tries his luck from range, which looks to be heading in the top right-hand corner. Southwood claims it well, though.

 

74' | Thomas Conteh does well to hold his man off on the left, puts a good cross in for Haughton, who strokes it just wide.

 

75' | Leigh pulls one back for the visitors.  FGR 2 - 1 Bristol Rovers

 

77' | Leigh's volley hits the post for the visitors.

 

79' | Cavegn tries to get his shot off for the Gas, which he drags just wide.

 

83' | Merrett does well to stop the run of Cavegn with a sliding clearance

 

86' | McNicholas denies Quigley; the ref then pulls it back for a foul on a Bristol Rovers player after already playing the advantage...

 

90' | Leigh makes it level as we hit 90.  FGR 2 - 2 Bristol Rovers

 

Today's attendance: 1144 (Away: 382)

 

 

LM