Rovers made it through to the Second Round of the FA Cup with this 2-0 win against League One side Cambridge United on a Friday night at The Mem.
A much improved performance gave the crowd of just over 3,500 plenty to cheer about and give reasons to be optimistic for upcoming league fixtures.
Steve Evans made changes for this match and welcomed back Kofi Balmer and Tommy leigh from suspension whilst also handing starts to Reiss Russell-Denny, Ben Purrington and Joe Quigley. The players to miss out were Ciaran Kelly, Richie Smallwood, Jack Sparkes, Arvin Appiah and Shaq Forde.
The first chance of the evening saw Quigley head a cross from Balmer back into the path of Alfie Kilgour and the skipper went close as his shot was only just wide of the upright. Tom James, played in by Kilgour, was way off target with an ambitious volley with the outside of his right foot before he fired a free kick over the bar.
Quigley spurned a golden opportunity of getting on the scoresheet when he lashed a shot high and wide of the target while the visitors, showing neat approach play but seldom troubling Brad Young went close to taking the lead just before the break when Sully Kaikai rattled the crossbar with a fierce free kick.
Fabrizio Cavegn should have given Rovers the lead ten minutes into the second half, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner. There wasn’t too long to wait for the opener, though, as Russell-Denny scored for the second week running. The on loan Spurs midfielder was played in by Clinton Mola and he fired home from just outside the area.
A Crossfield ball from Kilgour picked our Leigh on the right and his cross was met by Cavegn who fired his shot straight at keeper Jake Eastwood. Three minutes later, though, the Swiss striker did find the back of the net when he cut in from the left and struck a powerful shot past Eastwood to double the lead.
Cambridge did come out more as they attempted to get back into the game and they were denied a goal by a fantastic save by Young to keep out a header by Shayne Lavery
The visitors were awarded a penalty on 82 minutes when Cathal Heffernan went to ground under a hefty challenge. However, it just wasn’t Kaikai’s night for, having hit the crossbar in the first half, he did it again from the penalty spot at the other end of the ground.
Rovers were the better side on the night, of that there’s no doubt and it would be nice to see form like this transferred into league matches, starting with Chesterfield next week!
‘I’m just pleased for the players. They deserve enormous credit, because they were under pressure, and I was under pressure. We don’t kid ourselves. Football is a results business. The wonderful thing I’ve had for the last week is my Chairman telling me that I am here for the long term. That gives you the confidence to say I could play the type of team I played today rather than be scared of it.
‘In terms of the game, it was two teams in the first half that didn’t give an inch. I don’t think there’s a lot in it. They had an effort that strikes the top of the bar, but we had one or two chances, particularly Fabrizio’s chance.
‘We didn’t work harder than Cambridge United today, but we worked equally hard with a team that’s designed to work hard by manager Neil Harris and I try to design the same thing. The boys deserve all the credit. They have worked hard on the training ground all week with myself, Byron Anthony and Lee Tomlin and they deserve the rewards and they can all look forward to watching the draw for the next round.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘It was a good night and I thought we thoroughly deserved our win. I’m always looking to get a shot away and when the ball came to me I did just that and fortunately it went in which has added to my confidence.
‘I thought we played well, with a great deal of energy and this has to be the minimum standard we play at as a team. As for my time on here on loan, it’s been good and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve had to be patient, but the staff, the players and the fans have all been good and I’m working hard every day to get the shirt.’ Rovers goalscorer Reiss Russell-Denny
‘I feel for the fans that travelled because we didn’t give a good account of ourselves. I’m sorry for their cost and time and it’s down to the players to apologise, but we played our part as well.’
‘We stood up to the physical onslaught for large parts and competed, but we didn’t do the other side of it. We didn’t play, we didn’t keep the ball.’ Cambridge Manager Neil Harris
