Rovers Shot Down By Shots

Rovers last night fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the EBB Stadium against Aldershot Town, with Peter Vincenti scoring the decisive goal just before half-time.

It was a game the Gas certainly should not have lost and they'll be disappointed with the way they conceded their clean sheet. The hosts' goal came as makeshift centre back Jim Paterson was off the pitch receiving treatment for an injury. The ball was originally well blocked on the edge of the box by Cian Bolger, but the ball broke loose for Vincenti who swept home past Scott Bevan. It was a decent finish from the midfielder but to say it was deserved would be massively untrue considering it was their only shot on target during the entire game.

Jim Paterson upon signing for the Gas in January

5 changes were made to the side that started against Southend on Saturday with Gary Sawyer returning after injury to left back, Michael Smith came in to right midfield, Andy Dorman and Matt Lund occupied central midfield whilst Eliot Richards started up top. We enjoyed long spells of possession without really threatening their goalkeeper Jamie Young. Richards had a couple of efforts on goal but both were tame and dealt with relatively comfortably by the home side. The 555 Rovers fans behind the corner flag at one end of the 3 sided stadium did their best to create an atmosphere but it was unfortunately drowned out by two ridiculously annoying drums the Shots fans had. Why you need drums to create an atmosphere in a covered terrace with decent acoustics is beyond me, but they insisted they used it... for the entire game. Goodnight Irene could still be heard loud and clear throughout the match though and it was appreciated by the players at the full-time whistle who ensured they stayed behind to applaud our support.

It was a disappointing display in the sense that we weren't anywhere near as good as we have been since Mark McGhee took over, but ultimately it was mainly frustration that we've not at least drawn the game. We now move on to a big game against league leaders Swindon Town at the County Ground on Saturday where there is set to be 1900 Gasheads in attendance to prevent the promotion party from taking place in Wiltshire. McGhee explained that the likes of Muzzy Carayol, Chris Zebroski, Matt Gill and Craig Stanley should return to the lineup following being rested yesterday and hopefully they can influence our game to ensure we can nick a derby victory. Paolo Di Canio's side will be up for it having lost the JPT Final on Sunday so it'll be a full-blooded affair that we'll need to be up for.

Who's going then Gasheads? Up the Gas!