Report by Jon Green

Rovers exited the Francis Hillier Somerset Cup after a narrow defeat to National League South side, Weston-super-Mare on a very cold evening!

After a rusty performance on Saturday, Kieran Baggs would have been looking for a big response from the squad. And he got one.

The opening minutes were mainly controlled by the young Weston team and they got the opening chance in the third minute but the shot from distance sailed wide.

Slowly, the hosts worked their way into the game and should have taken the lead in the 7th minute after Elliot Haffenden was sent through. He still had work to do to dodge a challenge in the box but then his shot rattled the crossbar when it seemed easier to score.

Nevertheless, Rovers began to get more inspired and were having luck down both flanks in the guise of Dan McBeam and Wayne Nderemani.

In the 28th minute, Haffenden was through again but this time he shot straight at the keeper Jakob Glover whom had been on loan at Paulton earlier in the season. Moments later, McBeam found Nderemani who in turn found Dylan Gould on the edge of the box. He hit a rasping shot but again, direct at the keeper. Literally seconds later, an almost carbon copy move gave Gould a second chance. This time his shot was higher but still straight at the keeper.

Weston always looked dangerous going forward themselves and James Smallcombe had to make a good save in the 34th minute to keep the game level.

Just two minutes later, Weston did get the lead after Ricardo Thompson was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Another former loanee at Paulton, Brandon Bak, stepped up to dispatch the spot kick. Smallcombe got his hand to the ball but couldn’t keep the powerful shot out.

It was the decisive moment of the half. A half that Rovers should have scored in themselves.

The second half seemed to settle into an early pattern. Rovers dominated the possession with Weston looking to quickly counter the when winning the ball back.

For ten minutes, Rovers moved the ball around well making probing moves but couldn’t quite find the killer pass. That is until the 55th minute when Elliot Haffenden found space in the box to pass to Wayne Nderemani who turned and swept a low shot past Glover.

The goal buoyed the home support and Rovers pushed to find a winner. In the 61st minute another good cross from Dan McBeam just alluded Elliot Haffenden who was bearing down on goal.

Weston still looked dangerous on the break and they won a free kick in a dangerous position in the 65th minute. James Smallcombe had to be on his toes to push the low shot past his post.

Soon after, Kitan Jaiyeoba and Kyle Witt were introduced into the game and were both immediately in the action as Jaiyeoba broke free on the right, crossing in low. Witt stretched to connect with the ball and score into the empty net but the ball was frustratingly millimetres from his foot!

In the 77th minute, Weston were nearly the architects of their own downfall when a defender skewed a header from a corner agonisingly wide of his own post.

Another chance came and went for Dan McBeam before Rovers clattered the crossbar again in the 86th! Another cross from Jaiyeoba into a melee of players saw the chance missed again.

Weston had a chance to win the game themselves in added time but Brandon Bak’s shot whistled just over the bar.

Arguably, Rovers had deserved a second goal but a penalty shootout would be how the game would be decided. And it turned out to be a remarkable shootout!

With Weston leading the way, the first five penalties were all missed before Dan McBeam stepped up and gave Rovers the lead. Weston responded before Kyle Witt missed for Rovers.

There then followed a period of excellent penalties as each player scored ensuring the keepers bothering had to take one before starting the process again. With the score up to 11-10 Weston, the decisive moment came when the unfortunate Dan McBeam had his second penalty saved by Glover.

It had been a much improved performance from Rovers over Saturday’s game and the team were extremely unlucky to come out of the wrong end of the result.

All in all though, a good workout and confidence builder after our long layoff as we get back to league matters on Saturday when Buckland Athletic visit The Winterfield Stadium.

Next Up:
Buckland Athletic (H), 21st February, 3pm