The competition that so many supporters dislike, and many boycott, reached the end of the road for this season, at least as far as Rovers are concerned.
However, after a thoroughly entertaining game they drew 2-2 against Reading and won the resulting penalty shootout 5-3 to claim two points. Not good enough to qualify for the knockout stages, admittedly, but the match gave the club an opportunity to showcase some of the young talent being nurtured and developed in the club’s Academy.
Included in the starting XI that showed 11 changes from last Friday night’s FA Cup tie were Excel Iwhiwhu and Stan Dunne, while there were places on the bench for Jack Toogood and Kazim Salahi-Ali who would both play their part in the later stages of the game.
The game didn’t begin well for Rovers as they conceded after only three minutes after Ciaran Kelly lost possession allowing Sean Patton the opportunity to fire a shot past goalkeeper Charlie Binns.
Rovers seldom threatened the Reading goal, though a superbly taken free kick from Jack Sparkes almost beat visiting keeper Jack Stevens who managed to touch the effort over the bar for a corner.
The visitors looked the most likely to score as Patton and Callum Cliff both went close, both being denied by Binns.
There was a great deal of energy about Rovers play with Arvin Appiah, Philip Sanyaolu and Bobby Kamwa all looking to impress manager Steve Evans. However, in spite of some sustained pressure and a number of crosses being played into the Reading area, they really didn’t create anything of note to trouble Stevens.
Still trailing at the break, they fell further behind five minutes into the second half and Jerae Jones found the top corner of the net with a vicious swerving shot from just inside the area.
That goal seemed to galvanise Rovers and they were level within eight minutes as Ryan De Havilland played Appiah out on the left and he cut inside before firing a delightful left foot shot past Sutton.
Sanyaolu then got in on the act and scored an almost identical goal to draw Rovers level with 65 minutes on the clock.
Toogood and Salahi-Ali were introduced on 73 minutes and played their part as both sides went in search of what they hoped might be the winning goal.
However, the 2-2 draw meant a penalty shootout and Rovers scored their first four, taken by Tommy Leigh, Sparkes, De Havilland and Reiss Russell-Denny. Reading scored their first three but Matteo Dashi saw his effort saved by Binns. The fifth, and winning Rovers spot kick was taken by 15 year old Salahi-Ali who showed great composure and confidence in slotting the ball past Stevens, leaving Rovers 5-3 winners.
WHAT WAS SAID
‘There was a special talent that went on the pitch on 70 odd minutes tonight; he’s 15 years old, young Kazim. I’m delighted with Excel Iwhiwhu and Jack Toogood as well. They are both lads in the Academy who will have come on 100million miles tonight. They were taking pictures of their shirts before the game.
‘Kazim just thanked me at the end for showing the confidence to give him the last penalty, and that confidence came from watching him for 10 minutes tonight. When I asked him if he had been nervous when taking it, he simply said that he hadn’t been and expected to score. This Football Club has an exceptional talent.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘It felt amazing to make my debut. Obviously, I’ve been waiting for it for a long time, and the fact that it’s come today and I’ve got a full 90, I’m really proud of myself, my family and everyone who has supported me. I was told yesterday that I might be in the team, but the team might change. Today, I just saw my name up there next to Ciarán Kelly, and I was just astonished, to be honest.
‘I was kind of nervous at the start for the first few minutes, but after that, I felt completely fine. I just found my rhythm, played how I usually play.
‘To be honest, I can’t explain how I felt. Inside of me, I felt every bit of emotion. I was nervous, anxious, but most of all excited to show everybody what I am about.’ Rovers defender Excell Iwhiwhu
‘It was a surreal moment. From coming here when I was younger to watch the first team, when the gaffer called me over to put me on, it was just a surreal moment. Thankfully, I played well, got the penalty at the end and scored it. I got called on Sunday afternoon to say that I was going to train with the first team, which was already enough. For me, all I wanted to do this year was try and get in and around the first team. Then, I went to training yesterday, and they told me I was going to be in the squad today. I was just flabbergasted. It was an unreal moment for my family and me.
‘I got tingles through my hands, and I got tingles through my whole body, but as soon as I had my first touch, it just went back to normal. I thought I would just play how I play and just show what I can bring to the team. I have got high values for myself. I think that I am a very good footballer, but I need to stay humble, keep going, keep pushing and keep working every day to get better.
‘I thought I had to put my hand up. I saw four people had put their hands up, and I had to put my hand up to take the last one, and I always knew that I was going to score. I always go the same place every time.’ Rovers midfielder Kazim Salahi-Ali
