Rovers kicked off their first match in this season’s EFL Trophy with a 2-2 draw against a Chelsea U-21 side who have been rebranded as Cobham Next Gen.
The competition rules ensure that there must be a winner on the night and so, in the event of a draw, there is a penalty shootout and the winners of that are awarded two points and the losers one point. In this instance Chelsea/Cobham took two points as they were 4-2 winners of the shootout.
An experienced Rovers side faced a side whose average age was 18 years 264 days, so it was a case of experience taking on a side of talented youngsters and for large parts of the game experience came out on top.
It was a Rovers youngster, the on loan Reiss Russell-Denny who almost gave Rovers the lead but his blistering half volley from just outside the area rattled the Chelsea crossbar.
Having been the better side for the opening 20 minutes, Rovers duly edged in front with 22 minutes on the clock. Ryan de Havilland found Jack Aitchison out on the left and the summer signing delivered a low cross into the box where Mees Rijks was on hand to steer the ball into the net from close range.
Ciaran Kelly saw a close range effort saved before a Chelsea breakaway almost led to an equaliser. Goalkeeper Charlie Binns, on his senior debut, rushed to the edge of his area to clear the danger but was beaten to the ball by Jashayde Greenwood who somehow managed to fire wide of the target.
Chelsea shot stopper Freddy Burnal then made an excellent save from Rijks, to prevent adding his second goal of the evening and doubling Rovers advantage.
A second goal did arrive, though, just before the hour mark when Joe Quigley, who had worked hard leading the line all night, volleyed home from a Russell-Denny cross.
At that point, it seemed as though Rovers were capable of holding on to their lead and go on to claim all three points. Chelsea, though, had other ideas and their pace began to cause Rovers problems, particularly in the middle of the park and in the wide areas.
Harrison Bettoni pulled a goal back from close range on 71 minutes and with eight minutes remaining Ezenwata equalised following a flowing Chelsea move. He celebrated as though his strike had won his side the Premier League title and was so over the top that it was embarrassing; still, maybe that will be the highlight of his career – scoring a goal at The Mem. I’m sure he will write about it in his autobiography!
As for the penalty shootout, Ellis Harrison and Russell-Denny converted with some aplomb, but Jack Sparkes and Richie Smallwood missed with woeful attempts and Chelsea, who missed just one spot kick and scored four to earn themselves two points.
WHAT WAS SAID
‘With 70 odd minutes on the clock, we are very comfortable at 2-0. We could have had three or four, and then we made some changes and changed the shape. That changed the pattern of play within a minute or so; Chelsea got a goal back, and they are talented players. They deservedly got a second goal, and we should probably have been three or four at the interval. Changes affect that a little bit, but for us, all bar losing on penalties, it’s been a good night.
‘The performances of some players does put questions in my head about Saturday’s side because I think we all know that we said we should have done better than concede six goals in two games, particularly the three here on Saturday. There was a lot of work that went into some of the defensive shape, and for 70 minutes, it was good tonight.
‘We need to defend more with pride. It’s not about shape; it’s about one on one mistakes and cutting them out. If we cut the errors out, we’ll concede fewer goals. I know it’s a straightforward comment, but it’s true. The boys have been working hard.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘It was frustrating, really, being 2-0 up and cruising, to be honest. I’m not sure what happened. We were probably happy with the lead and sat off a bit and didn’t keep doing what was working for us. And then it ended up costing us in the end, 2-2, and then penalties are a bit of a lottery I was disappointed not to get to save one, really. I got close to one; it hit the post and came out, but yeah, I loved playing at The Mem on my debut. Really loved it. Fans are great, and hopefully I can have the opportunity again.
‘It’s a great ground, great atmosphere. I really like the old style, and the fans close to the pitch make a lot of noise. I don’t know how many were here tonight, but obviously it wasn’t full; I thought the fans were good. I thought I would probably start yesterday. James Bittner, the goalie coach, had said to be ready. But you never quite know until the team is announced, but I had a feeling I probably would.
‘You’ve got to try and take your chance when you’re playing, and in training you’ve got to really work your hardest and prove to the gaffer that you deserve a chance. That’s what I’m trying to do, and hopefully I can prove to him that I deserve a go.’ Rovers goalkeeper Charlie Binns
‘I think we started very well. I think in the first 65 minutes, we played so well; we were in control, winning the duels, and then we just switched off. It was silly mistakes that led to two goals. It went to penalties, and we lost on those, so I think it was a bit sloppy in the end, but I think there are loads of positives and things we need to do better. It feels really nice to get that first goal in and to start. It’s an opportunity to show myself, and I was really enjoying getting the minutes.
‘I’m loving it here. I am loving everything about it. I’m loving the city; I’m loving coming in every day with the boys. All the work the manager does; you saw how well he did at the end of the year as well. I know we’re capable of doing it as well this season, so I’m buzzing to be here. I feel like a real Bristolian.
‘I think it’s really good to play with Joe or with someone else as two strikers, but I am capable of also playing as a lone striker as well. In pre-season, we played a lot with that and playing off someone. I like to make those runs in behind, be free, keep moving around, coming to places and arriving there.’ Rovers striker Mees Rijks
