Report by Jon Green

Rovers progressed to the next round in the Les Phillips Cup on Tuesday after a much changed line-up came through a close encounter with Keynsham Town.

Rovers rang the changes for the first round of the Les Phillips Cup bringing in players that had been injured, suspended or spent some time on the subs bench. Even so, the quality of the team would have been expected to go through against Keynsham who sit at the lower end of Division One of the Jewson Western League.

From the off, it was the visitors that applied the pressure with most of the early minutes being played in Keynsham's half but the first real chance didn't come until the 9th minute. After some good work by Wayne Nderemani down the left, he found found Elliot Haffenden in the box but his shot just wide of the mark.

Much of the rest of the half, Rovers had most of the possession but were unable to break down a stubborn Keynsham defence. Full back, Ricky Scott got a shot away in the 30th minute that also went wide and Kailan Gould, on for the injured Will Osborne, hit a curling strike but the keeper took it comfortably.

Keynsham were rarely threatening at the other end and the half looked to be ending goalless until the 41st minute. Kailan Gould moved forward on the right and picked out a cross into the box that Wayne Nderemani prodded on to Kyle Witt who curled the ball back across the goal and into the net.

The line-up was shaken up again at half-time with Tom Bradley and Kitan Jaiyeoba introduced. The latter was straight into the action as he got a well struck shot away in the 51st minute but it flashed just wide. Keynsham had had their best moment of the game just prior to this as they struck the crossbar.

Again, Rovers began to take control of the possession with Kailan Gould and Krystian Woods beginning to make a good partnership down the right hand side. Chances from out side the box came for Kyle Witt and Kitan again but again, the target could not be hit.

A single goal lead generally produces a nervy ending to a game but bar a couple of late half chances for Keynsham, it looked comfortable for Rovers as the game moved towards the 90th minute. The hosts made things even harder for themselves when Dennis Asante was sent of in the 85th minute for violent conduct and Rovers played out the final moments comfortably.

We await to see who we will draw in the next round!

Next Up:
Saltash Utd (H), Saturday 4th October, 3pm