Rovers began their league campaign with a defeat at newly promoted York City, after having taken a first half lead; Clinton Mola and Tommy Leigh, with a second half penalty, were on the scoresheet for Steve Evans’ side but they succumbed to goals from Alex Newby and Harry Boyes (2).
As expected, York began the game playing at a high tempo and appealed for a penalty after only six minutes when Boyes was bundled over by Macauley Southam-Hales, though referee Tom Nield decided against awarding a spot kick.
Brad Young saved from Dipo Akinyemi shortly afterwards and Alex Hunt drilled a shot wide of the upright before Young was called into action again, saving from Ollie Pearce.
Having enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, though, York conceded following a rare Rovers attack. Keenan Gough did exceptionally well in the middle of the park, riding two challenges before sweeping the ball out to Fabrizio Cavegn on the left. The striker held the ball up before playing the perfect pass into the advancing Mola who didn’t have to break his stride before hitting a right foot shot under the diving Alfie McNally. Cavegn almost snatched a second goal for Rovers before the break but McNally saved low down to his right.
The second half began with the home side again well on top and it came as no surprise when they got back on level terms. Joel Gray’s cross from the right, on the hour mark, found Newby who hit a first time shot
past Young. Three minutes later York took the lead when Boyes drilled a shot past Young and into the bottom corner of the net.
Rovers were handed a lifeline with 12 minutes remaining, when they were awarded a penalty after Shaq Forde was pushed in the back by Boyes and Leigh sent McNally the wrong way with his spot kick.
Boyes, though, had the last laugh following his eventful afternoon, as he headed home at the back post following a cross by Ollie Banks from the left and left Rovers ruing a totally unexpected lethargic performance.
WHAT WAS SAID
‘I think we were second best in a lot of areas all over the pitch for long spells today. But the game always comes down to goals, and it’s easily individual errors for each of the goals we conceded. Bad individual errors as well.
‘We never lacked effort and spirit and trying. You know, we went in front against the run of play, totally. But then we probably had our best spell for ten, 15 minutes, and we had a little spell again after we equalised in the second half with the penalty from Tommy.
‘But you can’t defend like that and win football matches. It’s just not right. I think we were weak individually in defensive areas. We had some really good performers. I thought Keenan Gough was sensational, like head and shoulders above anything in the whole of York.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘I think we got a goal, to be honest, against the run of play. They started really well. It took us a while to get to grips with the game and get a goal against the run of play. We should do better, really, to hold onto that for longer, but yeah, ultimately a disappointing weekend.
‘They did not create many chances, but they get themselves in areas and overload wide areas and things like that. So, it’s a puzzle to work out on the pitch, but we’ve got to do better than that.
‘We’ve got to look at ourselves in those positions and do better. We’ll go through the goals and pick the bones out of them and get better. Ultimately, we’ve got a lot of work to do next week.’ Rovers defender Macauley Southam-Hales.
‘I thought the fans were amazing. I’ve got to add that, because I think they had a big part to play in the game, but we also give them something to sing about.
‘Against Crawley, we didn’t start particularly well, so that was the one thing that I asked for from the players – to really start well, knowing that there was a full house. It was important that we got the fans onside by doing that and I thought we dominated the game against a good side, who will be up there and around it.
‘It was a really good marker of where we are and what we need to improve on. York Head Coach Scott Lindsey
