Report by Jon Green

Rovers campaign in the Francis Hillier Cup was very short lived after falling to defeat at Western League outfit, Nailsea United on Tuesday evening.

The visitors had had a difficult season so far having not won any of their opening league or cup matches but would have been hoping to instil some confidence in the team with what should have been a routine win against a team two divisions below them. However, cup games very often don’t go to plan!

And so it was from the off that Nailsea set about their work against a changed Rovers lineup. The hosts looked sharper and quicker to second balls and Rovers looked off the pace.

Nailsea had the first shot at goal in the 7th minute but it took until the 17th minute for Rovers to get theirs; a Cam Allen drive that hit the side netting.

The calamitous events began in the 24th minute when Allen was forced off through injury being replaced by Reggie Rowell; one of three Under 18 players on the subs bench.

It only took another minute before Nailsea were ahead; Harrison Ford slipping past his man to slot home.

The hosts should have gone further ahead five minutes later when a corner created panic in the Rovers box. The ball was stabbed goalwards three or four times but somehow stayed out.

Nailsea again should have been further ahead in the 40th minute when they easily opened up Rovers defence to create a 2 on 1 but McKenzie Welsh made a good stop to prevent the goal.

Rovers had never really looked like scoring in the half and things only got worse when Tom Bradley was given a second yellow card close to the whistle. The hill up which Rovers now had to climb was looking even steeper. And there was still more calamity to come…

The second half actually saw Rovers pushing and putting more pressure on the Nailsea goal. Chances fell for Luco Ponsillo and Brandon Bak with the hosts actually threatening less against the ten men.

But things only got worse for Rovers in the 78th minute when Jack Dancey was given a straight red for an off the ball incident.

Rovers still saw quite a lot of possession but were unable to break down Nailsea. A late shot by Alec Thomas stung the keepers hands but it was the closest they came in the half. A late corner that was hit woefully short was easily defended and with Paulton’s goalkeeper up, Nailsea broke quickly and scored on the counter through Dylan Whittle.

Nailsea thoroughly deserved the win and Rovers really must look hard at themselves before the visit of Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday. One single bright spot was the introduction of the three Under 18 players who equipped themselves very well on the night.

Next Up:
Bristol Manor Farm (H), Saturday 26th September, 3pm