BRSC PROG NOTES v OXFORD UNITED
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A second consecutive free week between Saturday fixtures has left us ‘Gasheads’ with maximum time to gloat over last weekend’s fantastic victory – and why not before a difficult game today! Six goals at Sixfields and who could ask for more. Quite simply, if you were not there, inconsistent Rovers were at their brilliant best although it has to be said that the ‘Cobblers’ were very poor and lacking in confidence it seemed to me. I listened to the Northampton Manager’s after-match interview and he was very magnanimous in his praise of Rovers. Hasselbank really said it how it was. ‘DC’ is never afraid to make changes, never moans about international call-ups robbing us of vital players or of a quite lengthy injury list and he put out a back four that has never played together before. Three of those defenders have come to us from non-League football and one was making his debut but the casual watcher would never have known as they were simply excellent. In front of them the midfield three were superb and ran the game whilst all the forwards were ruthless in front of goal. The only downsides were of course the loss of leading scorer, Billy Bodin, who appeared to pull his hamstring in putting the ‘Gas’ in front and Tom Nicholl’s penalty miss as he strives to get his first Rovers goal – he certainly deserves one and otherwise played brilliantly! The loss of Bodin is a big blow and, if you are as old as me, you will know how badly a pulled ‘ham’ effected Alan Warboys way back in the 70’s. I’m sure though that our medical department is much better these days and hopefully will soon have Billy back to terrorise League 1 defences!
A great day out then and probably Rovers’ best performance on the road in the League this millenium, certainly since those remarkable victories at Reading and Stoke. Let’s hope that those inconsistencies I mentioned earlier can be ironed-out and that last Saturday was the springboard for a big push towards the top six.
Supporters Club members should be well aware by now that our Annual General Meeting is going ahead as per schedule next Thursday evening, 19th, here in the Bristol Room. All the usual Reports and audited accounts are on the website but hard copies of same can be obtained on application to BRSC, 199 Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood. We will also have a few copies available on the evening. Members should bring their current membership cards to gain entry and the meeting starts at 7.30pm prompt. There are no elections again this year with no applications being received before the June 30th deadline. With Brian Seymour Smith announcing his resignation since that date this leaves us short of a Director on the Board and we will be discussing this situation with Football Club Chairman, Steve Hamer, over the coming weeks. Immediately following the A.G.M. we will, as usual, be holding a ‘Rovers Forum’ to enable members to question those in charge of the Football Club on all aspects of life at the ‘Mem’ and, of course, on future plans. I have been promised the attendance of the Chairman, our new Commercial Director Tom Gorringe and Assistant Manager Marcus Stewart who between them should be able to answer on all aspects of interest to our suppporters.
As I said earlier we have a difficult fixture this afternoon with old rivals Oxford United back in town and we cannot afford to be complacent on the back of last Saturday’s success. So, please get behind the boys in blue and let’s cheer them on to another three valuable points.
Jim Chappell.