Bristol Rovers 4-1 Gillingham
Our Under-18 side began their Merit League One fixtures with a 4-1 win against Gillingham at Lodge Road, Yate.
Second half goals from James Spruce, Lewis Ellington, Josh Bailey and a trialist sealed victory with Jordan Carey providing a hat-trick of assists.
PDP Coach David Buckwell had this to say about his side’s performance; “This is the first time we have competed in Merit League One and it was pleasing to begin our campaign with a deserved win.
“The boys demonstrated a fantastic commitment in sticking to our game plan and the energy and effort with, and without, the ball set another benchmark to what they are capable of.
“We went into half time a goal down after conceding late in the first half against the run of play. Lewis Ellington had a shot cleared off the line early in the opening period and although Gillingham had a chance of their own, which was well blocked by Josh Bailey, we were in control for most of the half.
“We scored four second-half goals to demonstrate an excellent commitment to sticking to the messages communicated at the start of the game and instructions at half time.
“Our first goal arrived following an excellent counter-attacking move, James Spruce finishing well after good play by Jordan Carey.
“We scored again following a well-worked passage of play which saw Jordan Carey again provide the crucial ball, this time for Lewis Ellington to finish from close range.
“Josh Bailey made it 3-1 after a Jordan Carey set piece, and we added a fourth goal through our trialist who showed excellent composure in the box.
“There were a great many pleasing elements to our performance; we varied our play to meet the needs of the game going longer when needed, and shorter when the spaces opened up, and the boys will take a lot of confidence from their first game in the competition.”
Rovers: Kieran Hodges, Matt Swan, Trialist, Luke Russe, Josh Bailey, Jordan Carey (Lewis Clutton, 75), Tyrone Tucker-Dixon, Harrison Chamberlain (Lucas Tomlinson, 55), James Spruce, Lewis Ellington, Dan Lammiman
Substitutes: Jamie Bremner, Sam Iles, Liam Armstrong
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