Rovers slipped to another defeat on Wednesday night, when high flying Kingstonian ran out relatively comfortable 3-0 winners.
Neither side was able to take the initiative in the opening stages, with clear differences in style. The hosts preferring a more possession based game, compared to the high work-rate of Rovers.
It was Kingstonian who had the first chance, seven minutes in, a ball over the top put Bradley Wilson through with Rovers’ defenders giving chase. His shot was low to the left, but keeper Kacper Orlowski got down to it well, tipping the ball round the post. From the corner, Joe Hicks, unchallenged and in plenty of space, heads home to open the Kingstonian account, leaving Rovers rocked back on their heels. (In the attempt to defend the corner, Orlowski sustained a head injury, in a collision with, I think, a Rovers defender – would result in in 7mins added time at the end of the half)
Rovers responded positively but Charlie Stallards header was comfortably gathered by Liam Allen in the K’s goal. Skipper Bert Lloyd blocked a powerful goalbound effort from Wilson on 20 minutes. We were causing problems for K’s on the flanks, with both Osaretin Otete and Daniel Pepple being a constant thorn in the side for the home fullbacks.
Orlowski saved well from former Rover Tyler Cox, after the ever dangerous Wilson had broken through the offside trap, and Cam Dobell fired a free kick against the wall for us, with the follow up being comfortable for Allen.
K’s increased the lead in five minutes before the break, Stallard and Stan Flaherty clashed in the area, and referee Callum Parke had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Having won the penalty, Flaherty stepped up and his firmly struck effprt to the lower right corner, sent Orlowski the wrong way.
Rovers almost snatched a way back into the game on the stroke of half time, but after Evangelos Empochontsifs delivery into the box had been half cleared, Stallard saw his effort fly just off target.
Rovers made a bright start to the second half, and a Manny Kwatchey cross fell to Folarin Awoleke but he fired over the bar and shortly after Kwatchey fired wide following a long Lloyd free kick.
Lloyd was all action and after Joe Pratley-Jones linked up with Palace Francis, the ball eventually found Wilson with Lloyd blocking his effort. It was 3-0 on 70 minutes, a neat give and go between Cox and Pratley-Jones, on the left flank, left the Rovers defence guessing. The return ball from Cox was perfectly placed on the edge of the box, Pratley-Jones curling his shot delightfully just inside the top right corner for Kingstonians third, leaving the Rovers’ keeper no chance.
Luke Ige fired an effort for Rovers wide of the right hand post and from a good Awoleke free kick, Lloyd and Troy Walters both have headed chances, with keeper Allen tipping the latters out for a corner. Awoleke takes to the near post, Empochontsif getting down to it but his headed effort just goes past the post.
Francis should have made it 4-0, having beaten the offside trap, his lob from distance beat Orlowski but fortunately for Rovers, the ball struck the crossbar.
Stallard found debutant Sam Sesay, who crossed to Walters, but his shot is wide. Awloeke then makes a great interception and shoots from distance, but again wide of the target.
K’s ended on top, and shots from substitute Flynn Bolton and Francis were both well saved by Orlowski, and wrapped up a game that was hard fought by both sides.
The difference between the two was the finishing of chances when they were worked for, and composure in front of goal. Not a bad performance against a highly rated side – but if you can’t put goals away when they’re there for the taking, would we perform any better against a less drilled side?