Development side hit back to see off Yate’s challenge

THE Bristol Rovers Development Squad overcame Yate Town 2-1 in their third pre-season friendly of the new season.

The official Bristol Rovers website report that the hosts took the lead early in the second half through a Josh Ford header, but the game turned around on 65 minutes when a trialist scored a 30-yard screamer, before substitute under-18 Zain Walker stabbed home the winner from close range six minutes later.

The side consisted again of a number of trialists, however there were still spots for Liam Armstrong, Luke Russe, Cameron Hargreaves, Ben Morgan and recent recruit Theo Widdrington.

Under-18s Osian Dillon and Jamie Bremner also got call ups, while Walker was on the bench; a recent acquisition to the academy.

Just as a quiet first half was coming to a close, Armstrong was called into action and produced a decent stop as a wide free-kick was whipped in low and threatened to find the bottom corner, but for the goalkeeper’s strong right hand.

Chris Hargreaves made five changes at the break, bringing on Mo Baghdadi, Conor Jones, Cameron Ebbutt, Zane Walker and a trialist on for Bremner, Russe, Hargreaves Jnr. and two trialists.

After just a few minutes of the second half, Rovers found themselves behind when Ford rose highest from a free-kick to head his side into the lead.

Hargreaves Snr. made his sixth change with little less than a third of the game remaining, with a trialist on for Widdrington; the impact was instant.

The trialist picked up the ball from 30 yards, looked up and rifled a stunning strike into the top right corner of the net.

Walker then raced through on goal and stabbed the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper to make it 2-1.