Oxford United 2-3 Bristol Rovers
Our U-18 side made it a calendar year, and 28 games, since their last league defeat with this win against Oxford United, achieved with goals from Sam Iles, Olly Mehew and Blake Davies.“It’s a nice feat to have achieved,” said Youth Team Manager Alan Walsh, “and particularly satisfying in that it’s been done over the course of two seasons, so a number of different players have been involved.
“This was a good win, though I did feel that the performance could have been better. That might sound a little bit critical, but expect us to win games with good performances. At the moment we aren’t pushing teams as we should and making the game comfortable for ourselves.
“We began this game brightly and did well in the opening ten minutes before Oxford scored with their first attempt on goal with a shot that went across the keeper and ended up in the far corner of the net.
“The remainder of the half was fairly even with Oxford getting forward but not really troubling us at the back and we were much the same, really, and not putting any pressure on their back line.”
Rovers did manage to get back on level terms five minutes before half time; “The Oxford goalkeeper came out to gather a corner, but dropped the ball, under pressure, and Sam Iles rifled in a shot that entered the net via the underside of the crossbar.
“At half time I asked the players if they could be better defensively and be more clinical in front of goal and, to a certain extent, they were though we still gave away possession a little too easily at times.
“We went ahead following a good move down the right that saw Elliot Green get past his full back and cross into the box where Olly Mehew was on hand to score from ten yards out.”
The homes side equalised following another long ball over the top and Charlie Phillips was beaten by a shot from the edge of the area. However Rovers scored what proved to be the winning goal ten minutes from time.
“Blake Davies took advantage of a goalkeeping error to force the ball in after a goalmouth melee. We pressed forward trying to get another goal and consequently left ourselves a little bit open to a counter attack but we managed to hold out for the win.
Rovers: Charlie Phillips, Alfie Kilgour, Tom Fry, Sam Iles, Bradley Confrey (Sam Blake, 60), Connor Jones, Elliot Green, George Corp, Blake Davies, Olly Mehew (Dan Lammiman, 80), Lewis Ellington (Callum Bingham, 65)
Substitutes: Kieran Hodges, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist