LORNE WILKINSON reports that on Monday, 19th November Rovers youngsters travelled to Keynsham Town to play a team that they had beaten 1–0 in the league four days earlier.

The game was played on Keynsham Town's artificial surface and from the off it was no surprise that it was the hosts who adapted quickest.

Rovers were on the back foot and with only minutes on the board, Keynsham were awarded a penalty when Rovers' Captain, Dane Edwards, brought down a Keynsham attacker and Town made no mistake from the spot kick to make it 1–0.

Rovers gradually adapted to the artificial surface and they started to play some neat football, with Keynsham adopting their physical, speedy, long and direct approach.

Keynsham made it 2–0 against the run of play. A Rovers attack broke down inside the Keynsham half and some further slack marking saw Keynsham break away into the Rovers half, with a Keynsham striker firing home unchallenged.

This seemed to spark Rovers into life and a further neat passing move saw the impressive Charlie Giles burst into the Keynsham Town eighteen-yard box, only to be hauled down before he could get his shot away. Charlie picked himself up and fired the penalty home to bring Rovers well and truly back into the game.

Rovers started the second half superbly, continuing their passing game and dominating the match. Against the run of play, Keynsham made it 3–1, with a further defensive mix-up costing Rovers dear.

However, Rovers' youngsters continued to battle and Keynsham found themselves pinned back in their own half with Rovers in total domination. Unfortunately, despite creating numerous chances, Rovers could not add to their tally and the match ended with a 3–1 defeat.

The players and management team were left to reflect on a game and performance where they should have picked up points. The lads will play worse than this and win games!

Good news for the club is that young prospects, Dan Cottle and Kieran Robinson, have returned from injury to bolster the squad.

The Sunday side are home to Packhorse Social Club from Leigh upon Mendip this Sunday, kick-off 10.30 a.m.