A development side takes on Cinderford Town in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night. Angelo Balanta is set to have his first outing in a Bristol Rovers shirt. He arrived on a deal until the end of the season at the start of September, but a lack of match fitness early on and then a hamstring tear have hampered progress. Assistant manager Marcus Stewart, who will be in charge of the development said: âWeâre hoping to see a bit from him on Tuesday night. Angelo has been in the treatment room form most of his time here so far, but that lad has undoubted quality. We have seen glimpses of that when he has been out on the training pitch. He also has to do the other side of things when we havenât got the ball so letâs hope that he is fit enough to be able to do that as well, there is an opportunity there for him and it is up to him now. People have been saying that we are crying out for goals in the team and he certainly has that match-winning ability to create something and open up defences.â Gosling and Monkhouse could also play. Gosling has been away on international duty but didnt get any game time so he could get some minutes tomorrow. Monkhouse is on a 3 match ban so he will get some game time tomorrow to keep him fresh for when he returns from suspension. There should also be trialist who is a French lad and plays as a Striker. He has been playing/trialing at Scottish clubs until now.
Thanks for posting this CJS. These games are often (ok, usually!) more interesting than the first team games!. KO 7.30pm Admission £3 (concessions £1) Usually a team sheet at the turnstile and the pasty hut is open. All under cover in the West Stand. I'm going................
Seems a fair price to pay to watch a few fringe First Teamers and some hopefuls so good luck to Rovers, it could be the only bit of silverware on the shelf (except for Nick Higgs Wine Goblet ) come the end of the Season based on performances to date. That said, me I'm of to see WSM v Doncaster tomorrow with me £15.00 ticket from the postponed FA Cup first round game. At least those at Woodspring Park should see a few goals from the team ending in Rovers sadly they will be in the wrong net as far as I'm concerned. Good luck WSM and Rovers.
I really hope that Balanta starts to deliver - if he does we could have a hell of a player for this level. I'm just a bit worried by Stewart's words: 'He also has to do the other side of things when we haven’t got the ball so let’s hope that he is fit enough to be able to do that as well, there is an opportunity there for him and it is up to him now.' indicates to me that maybe he hasn't been working as hard as he should.....
He might be used as an impact player for the last twenty minutes or so. Let's hope he makes an impact...
yes. he can play reserve games while suspended. suarez was allowed to play reserve football during his recent ban
Isn't this an FA competition? It's not a reserve team match, even if the reserve team are turning out...
Kick off was 20 mins ago, 7:30pm. Our starting 11: Puddy, Lyttle, Broom, Greenslade, Mitchell, Leadbitter, Balanta, Thomas, Monkhouse, Lucas and Gosling. Subs: Ward-Baptiste, Trueman, Palmer, Malpas, Preston
Thought I read yesterday that we had a French striker on trial. Anybody confirm who he was and what happened to him as all the names seem to have played before
I got that info from James Mcnamara from the Post. No idea why he wasnt involved tonight. Im sure James will explain tomorrow
The Post report.... Angelo Balanta got through his first full 90 minutes since arriving at the Memorial Stadium in September as part of a Bristol Rovers side that nicked a last-gasp victory against Cinderford Town at the Memorial Stadium tonight. Just as the Gloucesteshire Senior Challenge quarter-final clash looked to be heading for penalties, Jake Gosling, who was one of a handful of first-teamers in what was predominantly a development side, popped up to grab a last-minute winner to complete a come-from-behind victory. Earlier, George Lloyd had edged Cinderford Town ahead in the 49th minute against a Rovers team that, along with Gosling, also included Andy Monkhouse and Daniel Leadbitter. Jamie Lucas levelled matters from close range after Balanta had forced Cinderford goalkeeper Harris into a fine save with a powerful effort in the 67th minute. Balanta, meanwhile, showed plenty of promise at times throughout a game that was watched by first-team manager Darrell Clarke. One delicate chip from the right-hand side of the penalty area left Cinderford goalkeeper Harris grasping at thin air before the ball sailed narrowly over the crossbar in the first-half. The former QPR man also forced Harris into another fine save following a powerful right-footed effort and showcased some impressive ability and a delicious touch on the ball in spells. Harris was further tested as the opening period went on; having to save a long-distance effort from Gosling before getting in the way to deny Pierce Mitchell from close range. Cinderford, though, had their moments; Jacob Morgan robbing Mitchell to go through on goal only to be denied by Puddy, while attacking midfielder Gary Preen also forced the goalkeeper into a good stop from a low shot. John Brough’s side did take the lead soon after the sides re-emerged from the changing rooms for the second-half; Lloyd on hand to convert a Gary Preen cross from close range. Soon after, Puddy was unable to continue after banging his arm off of the post and over-extending hihs elbow and had to be replaced in goal by Kieran Preston. Rovers were soon back in the game when Lucas restored parity before Gosling grabbed the last-minute winner to set up a semi-final clash against either Bristol City or Cirencester Town. Rovers (3-5-2): Puddy (Preston, 60); Leadbitter, Mitchell, Greenslade; Lyttle, Gosling, Thomas, Balanta, Broom (Malpas, 46); Monkhouse (Ward-Baptiste, 58) Lucas. Unused subs: Trueman, Palmer.
