Rovers poor run in the Carabao Cup continued with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United at The Memorial Stadium.
The only goal of the game arrived from the penalty spot after just 19 minutes and although they created a number of goalscoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, they were unable to pierce a well organised Peterborough rearguard.
Jack Aitchison, Joe Quigley and Riley Harbottle all cleared the Peterborough crossbar in the opening 15 minutes, but the only goal of the game arrived when a ball into the Rovers box saw referee David Rock point to the penalty spot after Harbottle was adjudged to have handled as he jumped to head clear.
Harry Leonard stepped up to take the penalty and sent Brad Young the wrong way to give his side the lead. The striker was denied a second goal five minutes later thanks to a point blank save by Young.
Tommy Leigh saw a long range effort punched clear by Alex Bassand Quigley twice saw efforts clear the bar as his side looked for an equaliser.
There was a flurry of chances for Rovers at the start of the second half as Richie Southwood volleyed over the bar and Fabrizio Cavegn saw one effort blocked and another saved by Bass while the keeper also saved from Russell Rees-Denny and from Harbottle who headed straight at the shot stopper when well placed.
Mijs Rijks snatched at an opportunity and saw his attempt fly over the bar, Keenan Gough fired a late shot over the bar and Leonard headed wide of Young’s goal before the 90 minutes were up but the visitors comfortably protected their one goal advantage and Rovers wait for a win, and a goal, in this competition goes on.
WHAT WAS SAID
I think our performance was patchy. We started really bright in the first ten to 15 minutes, and then we lowered that intensity and Posh had a spell. The referee gives a decision that’s a penalty, which we think is harsh. If you can’t elevate your arms to head the ball, you’re never going to head the ball in your own penalty area, but he gives the penalty.
‘The second half was a bit patchy, a bit scrappy, but we made some changes and then took control. We made the three best chances of the game. Riley should atone for his hand being up there to give away a penalty.
‘We should score through Keenan right at the death, and before that, Mees misses a big chance when he goes with his wrong foot. So yeah, we’re disappointed, but they’re a good side. They play an attractive brand of football; they knock it around. I think if we were at it today, perhaps it’s different, but cup ties are decided on the day.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘We started well in both halves, but then I think we just came off the boil a little bit and they got a little bit of momentum. Especially in the first half, and then obviously they get the penalty, which I haven’t seen it back to be fair, but I thought it was soft. After the first goal we got a bit jaded five, ten minutes after that, they had a few more chances.
‘I thought we still went got some good areas to be fair. Just our final third. I thought we could have been a bit more dominant today as well. Both ends of the pitch and then it filtered through team. I think the seconds in midfield could have been better as well.
‘Overall, we’re disappointed because we should be beating Peterborough at home. No disrespect to them, they are a good team, but we should be beating them at home. On a personal note, it was a pleasure to be asked to stand in as Captain while Alfie wasn’t available.’ Rovers midfielder Richie Smallwood
‘A lot of players spent a huge amount of energy in the first half and the adrenaline eats at your resources so quickly. These guys have been training incredibly hard and to see them get cramp so early in the game is something I can understand because the legs go like jelly and the heart rate goes through the roof; they are burning through everything. I’m equally pleased that they were able to withstand an onslaught in that condition.
‘We thought that they would be direct because they have a lot of power at the top of the pitch. We dealt with it pretty well and then we mounted some pressure and there were two decent crosses into the box, the second led to the penalty and Harry Leonard dispatched the penalty in a top class way and that was enough for us.
‘We have to try and take as many positives from this game we can. This is a really strong side. I think they will be at the top of the division and should think they could compete in our division. It’s a hard earned win, it’s a taste of what’s to come and now we have to go to Bradford and put in a resilient performance like we did today.’ Peterborough Boss Luke Williams
Rovers poor run in the Carabao Cup continued with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United at The Memorial Stadium.
The only goal of the game arrived from the penalty spot after just 19 minutes and although they created a number of goalscoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, they were unable to pierce a well organised Peterborough rearguard.
Jack Aitchison, Joe Quigley and Riley Harbottle all cleared the Peterborough crossbar in the opening 15 minutes, but the only goal of the game arrived when a ball into the Rovers box saw referee David Rock point to the penalty spot after Harbottle was adjudged to have handled as he jumped to head clear.
Harry Leonard stepped up to take the penalty and sent Brad Young the wrong way to give his side the lead. The striker was denied a second goal five minutes later thanks to a point blank save by Young.
Tommy Leigh saw a long range effort punched clear by Alex Bassand Quigley twice saw efforts clear the bar as his side looked for an equaliser.
There was a flurry of chances for Rovers at the start of the second half as Richie Southwood volleyed over the bar and Fabrizio Cavegn saw one effort blocked and another saved by Bass while the keeper also saved from Russell Rees-Denny and from Harbottle who headed straight at the shot stopper when well placed.
Mijs Rijks snatched at an opportunity and saw his attempt fly over the bar, Keenan Gough fired a late shot over the bar and Leonard headed wide of Young’s goal before the 90 minutes were up but the visitors comfortably protected their one goal advantage and Rovers wait for a win, and a goal, in this competition goes on.
WHAT WAS SAID
I think our performance was patchy. We started really bright in the first ten to 15 minutes, and then we lowered that intensity and Posh had a spell. The referee gives a decision that’s a penalty, which we think is harsh. If you can’t elevate your arms to head the ball, you’re never going to head the ball in your own penalty area, but he gives the penalty.
‘The second half was a bit patchy, a bit scrappy, but we made some changes and then took control. We made the three best chances of the game. Riley should atone for his hand being up there to give away a penalty.
‘We should score through Keenan right at the death, and before that, Mees misses a big chance when he goes with his wrong foot. So yeah, we’re disappointed, but they’re a good side. They play an attractive brand of football; they knock it around. I think if we were at it today, perhaps it’s different, but cup ties are decided on the day.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘We started well in both halves, but then I think we just came off the boil a little bit and they got a little bit of momentum. Especially in the first half, and then obviously they get the penalty, which I haven’t seen it back to be fair, but I thought it was soft. After the first goal we got a bit jaded five, ten minutes after that, they had a few more chances.
‘I thought we still went got some good areas to be fair. Just our final third. I thought we could have been a bit more dominant today as well. Both ends of the pitch and then it filtered through team. I think the seconds in midfield could have been better as well.
‘Overall, we’re disappointed because we should be beating Peterborough at home. No disrespect to them, they are a good team, but we should be beating them at home. On a personal note, it was a pleasure to be asked to stand in as Captain while Alfie wasn’t available.’ Rovers midfielder Richie Smallwood
‘A lot of players spent a huge amount of energy in the first half and the adrenaline eats at your resources so quickly. These guys have been training incredibly hard and to see them get cramp so early in the game is something I can understand because the legs go like jelly and the heart rate goes through the roof; they are burning through everything. I’m equally pleased that they were able to withstand an onslaught in that condition.
‘We thought that they would be direct because they have a lot of power at the top of the pitch. We dealt with it pretty well and then we mounted some pressure and there were two decent crosses into the box, the second led to the penalty and Harry Leonard dispatched the penalty in a top class way and that was enough for us.
‘We have to try and take as many positives from this game we can. This is a really strong side. I think they will be at the top of the division and should think they could compete in our division. It’s a hard earned win, it’s a taste of what’s to come and now we have to go to Bradford and put in a resilient performance like we did today.’ Peterborough Boss Luke Williams
A FEW FACTS
