Bristol Rovers 0-4 Northampton Town
Our U-18 side didn’t fare too well in their first game in Merit League Two, losing by four goals to nil against their Northampton Town counterparts.“We were fortunate not to have conceded more,” said Youth Team manager Alan Walsh, “as even after a long trip down to Bristol they overpowered us and were in control of the game for almost the entire ninety minutes.
“They put us on the back foot straight away, were very bright, and knocked the ball around well. We simply couldn’t get to grips with them.
“I haven’t said this on too many occasions, but we were second best from start to finish, all over the pitch.”
Perhaps it might have been different had his side taken the opportunity to score with less than five minutes on the clock. However the chance went begging and after that there was only one side in it.
“Northampton hit the upright with one effort and then scored two goals in quick succession and comfortably held on to lead 2-0 at the interval.
“We were playing into a strong wind after the break, but still hoped to contain our visitors and, perhaps, hit them on the break or maybe score from a set piece.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t really conjure up any clear cut chances and apart from a couple of corners and a free kick we didn’t really trouble them.
“Northampton went on to score two more goals and were worthy winners, though I should add that all four of their goals came either from us giving away possession in bad areas or not defending well enough as a team.
“It was a very disappointing day and we have a great deal of work to do out on the training ground. “We also need to rebuild confidence within the squad as they were, understandably, a little bit down following this defeat and they need to get their heads up help us get back on track.”
Rovers: Kieran Hodges, Sam Blake (Toby Rennie, 60), Tom Fry, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist (George Corp, 65), Sam Hedges, Bradley Confrey, Eliot Green (Dan Lammiman, 70), Connor Jones, Blake Davies, Tyrone Tucker-Dixon, Lewis Ellington
Substitutes: Olly Mehew, Charlie Phillips