EFL Youth Alliance Merit League ONE. 
2016/2017 Season.
Bristol Rovers Under 18 Academy played their last fixture of the season on Saturday 6th May 2017 when they visited Essex to play The Shrimpers.
The result was: Southend United 2 v 0 Bristol Rovers.
This defeat means that the Bristol Rovers Under 18 Academy side end a season that began brightly in 11th and last place in the Merit League One table.
To view the Match Report from the Southend United perspective: Click HERE
The results of the last remaining fixtures in Merit League One played on Saturday 6th May 2017 were:
Luton Town 3 v 3 Leyton Orient.
Newport County 2 v 0 Cambridge United.
Southend United 2 v 0 Bristol Rovers.
Stevenage 1 v 2 Swindon Town.
This last day victory by Swindon Town means they end the Merit League season second in the Merit League One table behind the resurgent Exiles. The Newport County Under 18 Academy side are the deserved and clear winners of the Youth Alliance Merit League ONE. They have been very competitive since Christmas and won nine of their ten Merit League One matches.
Meanwhile, AFC Bournemouth were winners of Merit League Two. They had finished eighth in the Youth Alliance South West League while Bristol Rovers were Runners-Up behind The Grecians Academy side earlier in the season. AFC Bournemouth have also won the Youth Alliance Cup, winning 4-2 at Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium on Tuesday the 9th of May 2017.
This set of results seems to indicate that the standard of the Youth Alliance South West teams is higher than in recent years. Unfortunately, for Bristol Rovers Under 18 Academy the last six months have been challenging in a number of ways. Changing team managers on more than one occasion, having to move to a new training base mid-season and a variety of venues for home fixtures do not make for the most settled of seasons. Lee Mansell’s appointment for next season to work alongside Tom Parrinello with the oldest of the Academy teams is very welcome for the 2017/18 season.
The final EFL Youth Alliance (South) Merit League tables for the 2017/18 season are:
The Bristol Rovers FC Under 18 Academy Merit League ONE results:
Saturday 25th February 2017. Bristol Rovers 4 v 1 Gillingham.
Saturday 11th March 2017. Leyton Orient 3 v 1 Bristol Rovers.
Saturday 1st April 2017. Cambridge United 3 v 1 Bristol Rovers.
Tuesday 4th April 2017. Plymouth Argyle 2 v 0 Bristol Rovers.
Saturday 8th April 2017. Bristol Rovers 1 v 0 Luton Town.
Saturday 15th April 2017. Bristol Rovers 1 v 2 Newport County.
Saturday 22nd April 2017. Exeter City 1 v 1 Bristol Rovers.
Tuesday 25th April 2017. Bristol Rovers 1 v 4 Stevenage.
Saturday 29th April 2017. Bristol Rovers 0 v 5 Swindon Town.
Saturday 6th May 2017. Southend United 2 v 0 Bristol Rovers.
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