Bristol Rovers 0-2 Cheltenham Town
The visitors recorded a two-goal victory in today's Central League fixture at the Lawns, with goals from Danny Wright and James Dayton.
Rovers named a side for the fixture that included Joe Partington, Lee Mansell, Cristian Montano, Jamie Lucas and Ryan Broom, with a number of academy players and trialists making up the squad for the visit of Cheltenham.
Cheltenham named a strong side for the game and found themselves ahead just ten minutes into the encounter when Danny Wright worked himself into a good position to latch onto a threaded pass from midfield and the striker applied a chipped finish to open the scoring.
Although both sides found chances hard to come by in the opening forty-five minutes, the game was played in a competitive manner, with strong challenges coming in from both sides. Ryan Broom had the best chances of the half for Rovers, as the winger produced some neat footwork to clear a path on goal but his shot from outside the area was easily gathered by the Cheltenham goalkeeper, who was able to watch the ball into his hands.
James Dayton doubled Cheltenham's lead just six minutes after the half-time break, as the winger executed a curling free-kick that veered around the Rovers' wall and nestled just inside the post.
Rovers responded well and forced Cheltenham 'keeper Rhys Lovett into action as a Joe Partington cross from the right was met by a trialist striker, who headed towards goal from close-range which required a reaction save from the 'keeper to push the ball past the post.
With Rovers enjoying the majority of the ball in the second half, it was the visitors who came close to adding a third goal when a tempting cross from the left by James Dayton was headed wide by Holman.
In the closing minutes, Jamie Lucas had a chance to reduce the deficit, but a fine double save from Lovett meant that the final score remained 2-0 to Cheltenham.
Rovers still have to face Swindon, Exeter and Bournemouth in this season's Central League campaign.
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