Bristol Rovers 3-0 Portsmouth
Saturday 24th JanuaryGoals from Connor Jones, George Corp and Mitch Palmer gave our U-18 side victory against their Portsmouth counterparts at the Memorial Stadium this morning.
The winning margin was every bit as comfortable as the scoreline suggests for although the visitors enjoyed a great deal of second half possession in particular, they seldom troubled goalkeeper Cameron Clarke.
The shot stopper did, though, make an outstanding save from a 55th minute penalty, awarded for handball against Alfie Kilgour.
Youth Team Manager Alan Walsh saw his side get off to the best possible start as Connor Jones scored inside two minutes; “It was a great run from Connor, who ran from just inside our half into the Portsmouth penalty area, beating a couple of defenders on the way, before slotting the ball past their keeper.
“The second goal, on 29 minutes, came after Tom Fry’s cross from the left. Portsmouth failed to clear their lines and, following a goalmouth scramble, George Corp was on hand to shoot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.
“The third goal, which arrived after 49 minutes, was the best of the game. A delightful through ball from Connor Jones found Mitch Palmer and he finished well, hitting a low shot past their keeper.”
Then came the penalty for the visitors, but Cameron Clarke dived to his right to keep out the well struck spot kick.
“The penalty came after we had lost possession just inside their half and Cameron made an excellent save to preserve our clean sheet.”
His side might have added further goals before the end of the game, though, and had they been a little bit more ruthless in front of goal they could well have doubled their tally.
“We did create a number of chances and we were, at times, a little bit wasteful in front of goal but the boys deserve a lot of credit for coming out on top, because it was their second game in three days, and they put in a disciplined and hard working performance.
“They worked hard when not in possession, and although there were times when they gave the ball away when in good positions, they made sure that they extended their unbeaten run to ten games.”
Rovers: Cameron Clarke, Tyler Lyttle, Alfie Kilgour, Harrison Trueman, Tom Fry (Bradley Confrey, 62), Ryan Broom, George Corp (Callum Bingham, 62), Connor Jones, Mitch Palmer, Elliott Green (Tyrone Tucker Dixon, 62), Blake Davies