Bristol Rovers continued their winning start to pre-season with a 3-2 victory over National League South team Salisbury.
The Pirates were coming off the back of a 3-0 victory over Weston-super-Mare, but had to work for their triumph over the Whites. Nathan Odokonyero twice levelled for the hosts in the first half, cancelling out strikes from Fabrizio Cavegn and Ben Purrington.
However, the Gas showed their quality after the break, creating plenty of opportunities and limiting Salisbury to very little. A lightning attack proved to be the difference, with Tommy Leigh finding Jack Aitchison, who put it on a plate for Mees Rijks to score from close range.
The Pirates could have easily added a fourth, with Forde's effort from the edge of the box pushed over by the goalkeeper before the forward lifted his attempt just over the bar later in the half.
Rovers dominated possession in the early stages and looked to go direct with their play, searching for Cavegn, who was looking to make runs behind Salisbury's defence.
The Pirates' first half chance of the afternoon came ten minutes in, with Cavegn racing down the left, holding onto the ball before playing it to Clinton Mola, with the defender dragging a shot well wide from distance.
Cavegn's runs were causing problems, with the Swiss striker breaking the deadlock after losing his marker. Purrington chipped a clever pass towards the Cavegn, with the striker chesting it down with his back to the goal before directing his strike into the bottom corner.
However, the Gas could not build on their advantage, with the hosts levelling six minutes later. Odokonyero found space on the left side of the box before firing a low effort past Brad Young.
Jaiden Bartolo then looked to turn the score around, pushing off Alfie Kilgour before Young saved his attempt with his right boot. The hosts were then punished for their missed chance. A Rovers corner from the left caused plenty of problems, with Purrington reacting quickly to the loose ball to convert from close range.
Nevertheless, Salisbury showed their qualities and levelled again before half-time. The hosts took a free-kick quickly and found Odokonyero, who was open on the edge of the area and directed his shot into the bottom right corner.
Bobby Kamwa then made a brilliant run down the left and directed the ball towards Shaq Forde, who had his close-range effort cleared off the line by Josh Sommerton before hitting the post with the rebound.
The Pirates had all the momentum and went ahead for a third time through a fantastic move. Leigh played the ball down the right and through to Aitchison, who cut it across to Rijks to score.
Kamwa and Forde were looking dangerous in the attack and linked up soon after Rovers' goal, with the latter of the duo getting onto a cross, seeing his shot blocked before Rijks' attempt was saved.
The chances continued to flow for Rovers, with Salisbury struggling to get out of their half. Harrison played the ball down the left to Forde, who raced forward with possession before lifting his strike over. Steve Evans’s men pushed for another goal, but could not find one, with the Gas coming away with a narrow victory.
Bristol Rovers first half: Young, Balmer, Kilgour, Mola, Quigley (Omochere 30), Purrington, Smallwood, Southam-Hales, Howley, Cavegn, Hutchinson
Bristol Rovers second half: Southwood, James, Forde, Kamwa, Aitchison, Kelly, Rijks (Dewsbury 70), Harrison, Leigh, Harbottle, De Havilland
Goals: Cavegn, Purrington, Rijks
Salisbury: Henry, Morgan (Trialist 58), Sommerton (Trialist 58), Thomas, McIntyre, Russe (Trialist 58), Dabre (Hedges 46), Trialist, Gallagher (Trialist 58), Bartolo (Grubb 58), Odolonyero (Bradbury 46)
Goals: Odolonyero x2
PAUL RAYNOR: IT'S ALL ABOUT MINUTES AT THE MOMENT
Rovers certainly had to show their character against Salisbury, with the Whites netting two levellers before Rijks' strike proved to be the winner. The score was equal at half-time, with everything to play for, but the Pirates showed their true quality in the second.
The hosts had almost nothing in the attacking third after the restart, whereas Rovers created plenty of chances, with Salisbury's defence struggling to contain the Gas' attack. For Paul Raynor, the second half was much better than the first, with the only disappointment being that they could not extend their advantage.
“I’m disappointed with the first half performance. I don’t think we controlled the game as we did in the second half. We were a little bit disjointed in the first half; the pitch was a bit dry, and it was a little bit too end-to-end in the first half.
“On the whole, it was a good workout, and it's all about minutes at the moment. We picked two teams with the same formation, people playing slightly out of position. We were a little bit disjointed in terms of that, and the structure wasn’t quite right. So, without the ball in the first half, not quite as we want, but this is what pre-season is about. It’s about learning about people, players and formations, and we’ll get better as the pre-season goes on.
“I thought we had more control of the game in the second half. Tommy Leigh was running the show in the middle of the park. Every time he got it, he looked dangerous. We just looked a little bit more structured in the second half and had more control.
"We created numerous chances, and we need to be a little bit more clinical. Hopefully, we’re saving them for the league games and the cup games. On the whole, it was a good workout again. Salisbury were good, played some good football at times and caused us some problems.”
SHAQ FORDE: WE CAN SEE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN OUR ATTACK
The Gas' second-half attack of Shaq Forde, Jack Aitchison, Bobby Kamwa, Tommy Leigh and Ellis Harrison worked together brilliantly. Rovers might not have converted all of their opportunities, but there was plenty of promise in the early stages of pre-season.
Forde was delighted with how the attack worked together and is excited to build his relationship with the new players.
"I think it was a good workout. I think it was good to get some more minutes in the legs and play against strong opposition. They tested us and made it hard, but we took control, especially in the second half.
"Definitely in the second half, it felt like we had a lot more control. That was the main objective, just to work hard and have control and maintain possession. I felt like we definitely achieved that in the second half.
“I know about playing with Tommy and Ellis from last season, and they’re great. Playing alongside Bobby and Jack too, we’re forming a really strong understanding and relationship on the pitch, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this season together.
“I think we can we can see a lot of excitement in our attack. That’s the main thing, really. We all know the qualities the new lads have got, which will show a lot of excitement. Hopefully, it leads to a productive and successful season."
