A reserve game was played yesterday which was organised specifically for fringe players who need game time under their belts. It was against Exeter reserves and it ended Rovers 1 Exeter 2, which was played at Cribbs training base in windswept conditions. Exeter's winger Wheeler scored both goals for them. His 1st was on 18 minutes. Balanta levelled on 22 minutes and Wheeler got the winner on 57 minutes. The squad who played.... Kieran Preston Harrison Trueman (Tom Fry, 15) Neal Trotman Alfie Kilgour (Louis Ezwele, 56) Danny Greenslade Jake Gosling Mitch Palmer Angelo Balanta Ryan Broom Aaron Ward-Baptiste Jamie Lucas Unused sub: Cameron Clarke. 1st half: The 1st goal in 18 minutes came after Wheeler took advantage of a lapse of concentration at the back and got in behind Rovers central defenders to slot the ball past Kieran Preston. Rovers hit back quickly just 4 minutes later. Gosling played a short corner to Balanta whose shot crept in at the far post. Things were fairly even after the goals, though Balanta had another effort well saved and Preston made two fine saves just before half time, meaning the first half ended 1-1. 2nd half: Wheeler's second goal on 57 minutes came shortly after Louis Ezwele had replaced Alfie Kilgour in the central defence. It was his first game back after a lengthy spell out through injury. The youngster lost possession to the Exeter striker on the edge of the area and he comfortably beat Preston with a low shot. Balanta drew another fine save from the Exeter keeper before the end of an evenly contested game in which both sides battled hard in difficult conditions. Game finished 2-1 to the visitors. The important thing, as far as Rovers were concerned, was that Neal Trotman, Jake Gosling and Balanta all came through ninety minutes of much needed game time. All three senior players showed up well and were ably supported by three first year pros and a number of first and second year scholars. Marcus Stewart, who was in charge of the side today, had this to say afterwards: "Everyone did well in a game arranged specifically for some of our senior pros, who needed minutes under their belts. They got that and also played very well, as did the three on loan first year pros, Jamie Lucas, Danny Greenslade and Aaron Ward-Baptiste, who all played 90 minutes at the weekend. The first and second year scholars who came in did well and, although we lost, it was a very good game and it was pleasing to see some of those younger lads in action, something we are unable to do on a regular basis. Although Louis Ezwele was at fault for the second goal, we should remember that he has been out for a long time and while it took him a while to play himself into the game it was important that he was able to get that 30 minutes or so under his belt. Blake Davies, a first year scholar, was with us for the first time, while another first year lad, Alfie Kilgour, was making his second appearance at this level and I thought they both acquitted themselves really well."
I think Danny Greenslade's been at Truro and has done well in a side which is winning games.He's scored too.
