--------------mildenhall-------------- smith---mcdonald----parkes----brown richards--wooodards--o'toole--harrison -----------brunt----tounkara--------- this would be my team tomorrow. i wouldnt chance mcchrystal, norburn, hammer or anyinsah if none of them are concerns.
I posted on here about bouncing back from defeat - you did that on Tuesday - I expect you to keep the momentum going and get a result up there PS last Saturday keeps your feet on the ground, so may not have been a bad thing
MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Darren Sheldrake Assistant referees: John Flynn and Ceri Richards Fourth official: Andrew Laver
Pitch not looking good apparently Looks waterlogged http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/pitch-update-march16-717241.aspx
We did what all 'proper' teams do. Play poorly, have a messy game....and win! The difference? - Ellis Harrison. Classic top quality first goal, and calm accurate placement for the second. Box ticked, job done, we won!
Full-time: Bristol Rovers 2 Rochdale 1 Two-goal Ellis Harrison was the star of the show as Bristol Rovers equalled their best run of Memorial Stadium form for three-and-a-half-years following a 2-1 victory over Rochdale this afternoon. Harrison, 19, ran half-the-length of the pitch to score a fine individual effort in 62nd minute to open the scoring before finding himself in the right place at the right time to plunder what turned out to be the winning goal six minutes from time as Rovers secured a fourth successive victory in front of their own supporters. Sandwiched in between was a sweetly-struck effort from Rochdale defender Michael Rose form all of 25 yards that looked as though it would be enough to give Keith Hill’s side what probably would have been a deserving point for their efforts throughout another entertaining afternoon at the Memorial Stadium. Whilst the victory was enough to see Rovers win four games on the bounce at the Memorial Stadium for the first time since the early part of the 2009/10 season, it also pushed Ward's side over the 50-point mark and almost virtually guarantees their continued participation in League Two next season. Rovers, however, looked unlikely to achieve that particular milestone during a first-half in which Rochdale were the far better side and should really have put the game to bed long before Harrison stole the show. Hill’s men should have been ahead inside five minutes when George Donnelly was presented with a good chance inside the penalty area. The Rochdale striker, though, fired the ball high over the crossbar and into the Blackthorn End when he should have done a lot better after being teed up nicely by winger Joe Thompson. Strike partner Bobby Grant then fired a shot across the face of goal and wide a matter of minutes later to serve early warning that Rochdale were a side not to be taken lightly. Grant turned provider in the 21st minute with a delicious-looking cross that was nodded inches wide of the far post from close-range by Donnelly as Rochdale continued to probe. Hill’s men were also impressive on the break; only a desperate goal-line clearance by Lee Brown preventing Ian Henderson from putting Rochdale ahead from one particular raid in the 34th minute. Steve Mildenhall then had to repel another Grant effort with a strong hand just before the opening period came to an end. Rovers, meanwhile, worked hard to try and get themselves into the game, but Jim Paterson’s eighth-minute shot, which had to be saved by Rochdale goalkeeper Josh Lillis, was the closest they came to opening their account. Ward's side, howvever, returned from the changing room with more urgency; John-Joe O’Toole forcing Lillis into a save from a powerful shot from distance in the 48th minute. Eliot Richards and Ryan Brunt also both saw efforts fly over the crossbar as Rovers maintained their on the front-foot approach. Ward moved to give his side further attacking impetus when introducing a partner for lone frontman Ryan Brunt in the shape of Tom Hitchcock – but it was Rochdale that almost opened the scoring minutes later. The dangerous Grant being fed by Joe Thompson down the right-hand side to deliver an inviting ball across the face of the six-yard box only to see it diverted onto the post and away to safety off the boot of Donnelly. Rochdale were made to pay for their wastefulness when Harrison shrugged off the attentions of Rose on the halfway line before advancing on the penalty area to aim a powerful shot past helpless Rochdale goalkeeper Josh Lillis. Rose made amends for his part in failing to stop the opening goal with one swish of his left boot to level matters in the 75th minute – before Harrison smashed in the rebound to score the winning goal after Brunt’s attempt to convert a Richards’ cross had been repelled by Lillis. Rovers (4-5-1): Mildenhall; Smith, Parkes, McChrystal, Brown; Richards, O’Toole, Woodards, Paterson (Hitchcock, 55) Harrison (Tounkara, 85); Richards, Brunt. Subs: Gough, McDonald, Lockyer, Clarke, Goddard. Rochdale (4-4-2): Lillis; Bennett (Rose, 8), Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, McIntyre; Thompson, Kennedy, Tutte, Henderson; Grant, Donnelly (Grimes, 67). Subs: Collis, Rafferty, Cavanagh, Barry-Murphy, Howarth.
ww gas, think we were all at the game im sure there will be a few us on here next saturday as were away from home. i will be here anyway as i will not be travelling to bradford.
It was a game played by two poor sides in the first half with Dale occassionally looking half tidy. Second half someone must have kicked a few backsides because the quality of the game improved. Both sides kept the bll on the deck a bit more and it was a bit more entertaining as a result. Another cracking goal from Ellis. My six and nine year olds went demented!! We were bitterly cold at the end and I felt sorry for those in the Blackthorn end in the face of the wind and heavy rain. Another game where our keeper hoisted every single ball into their defence and generally gave the opposition posession. Hate that!!
WARD ON A "BIG VICTORY" Manager on today's game John Ward admitted that it was a game of two halves against Rochdale today. Rovers beat Dale 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon, and the Pirates played well in the second half, after riding their luck at times in the opening period. The manager said: âIt was different in each half, we were pretty disappointing in the first period and rode our luck and our goalkeeper has kept us in the game. âGood goalkeepers are worth points and that is certainly the case today as we could have been going in at half time a couple of goals behind. âTo be level I was as pleased as I could be and hoping we could lift that game. We did that in the second period, the little changes we made a difference. âWe looked a little bit more lively as a team and we got started. Rochdale did very well and had good chances and didnât take them. âWe have won the game and it is a big victory as there were a lot of wins in that bottom half of the table today, so that keeps us in a good position.â Ellis Harrison scored both of the goals and in the game, and the manager had a lot of praise for the young wingerâs character. âEllisâ goal was a fantastic goal and we have that confidence in ourselves as individuals and it is possible. âHe is a young man who you have seen score goals and take people on. âYou have seen him not do well, as he is young and inexperienced, yet he can bounce back, and that character will stand him in good stead for a really good career in football. âHe will try things and as a manager and coach I can only try and encourage him. He has a lot more to learn, but he is getting better.â And the manager knows that there is still room for improvement from his side. He said: âI talk a lot to the players about attitude, effort and ability in that order, and to me it is not rocket science, you just have to put that in. âWe are not safe as other people can still win games. We were hoping to be in the top half of the table on the TV but we are second from top in the bottom of it. We still have a lot to do. âI donât have a problem picking the team as they are the only ones available to me at the minute, so they have to go out and play. âWe are at Bradford next, so we have to get ready for that, and there are seven games left to play and we will see what points we can get.â And neither John Ward or his side will be sitting back until the job is done. He said: âI have enjoyed it when the games are finished, like everyone else I get the tension and the doubts. âThe team are a bit naïve, and they are young. They are impressionable, which I like because they listen to me. âI try and help and guide them through things, but once they get on the pitch they have to make their own decisions. âWe are getting better, but there is more room for improvement, and if I sit back now the players are going to do the same, and I am not going to let that happen.â
I have to say about Ellis. He reminds me of the case of Harold Jarman when he came into the side as a new young player. Harold used to get kicked in the air by the full back whenever he tried any trickery and then tended to get rid of the ball rather than do his 'Stanley Matthews'. Jarman was probably told in old football speak 'Get rid of the ball or I'll break your f...ing leg son, dont try and make me look a c..t'. Ellis seems to be a bit more adventurous. Why the hell was he booked yesterday. Even in motor racing they recognise 'a racing incident' and nobody gets penalised.
