Impressive Point on the Road

Rovers had a tricky fixture away at playoff chasing Kidlington, Rovers looking to get back to winning ways following successive home defeats.

Jacob Anderson made his debut for Rovers, coming in for the injured Kyle Lincoln at centre back. Dean Dummett also returned to the starting XI, with Rafal Wielblad moving out wide. There were also spaces on the bench for Nick Felenko and Pemi Aderoju, as well as Stevenage loanee Harry Giroud; Sam Johnson also made his return to the squad having been out since pre-season following injury, the winger had featured in a couple of reserve games recently.

The game was arguably a game of two halves, Rovers having the better of the first 45 whereas the hosts came back into the game in the second.

The scoring was opened early on by Rovers on 14 minutes. Hatch put a ball over the top out wide for Wielblad to chase, the winger looked second best but robbed possession of the Greens full back, where he then rolled a ball into the box to return the favour to Hatch to slot home.

Lee Cooksey picked up a caution just past the half hour mark for stopping a break, the resulting free kick led to a scramble where the hosts hit the post but Rovers survived.

The pressure mounted in the second half, Kidlington hit the bar just five minutes in after a header at goal. Hatch also received a yellow card as he stopped the home goalkeeper from throwing the ball.

The scores were level just past the hour mark, a cross from a free kick this time found Cheetham to volley hard and low past Rose.

Rovers made three subs as the half went on, firstly Giroud made his debut in place of Dummett in the middle of the park, which was shortly followed by Aderoju replacing goal-scorer Hatch up top.
Ben Stevens was then replaced by Sam Johnson on the flank, great to see Johnson returning to action for the Walnuts.

Kidlington had a good chance with five minutes to go as James went through but his effort beat the crossbar.

Seb Simpson picked up a yellow late on as well to make it a hat trick of cautions for the Walnuts.

Rovers remain in 12th with 10 games to play, 16 points off the playoffs and 12 points off the relegation playoffs. Next up is a trip to Hadley on Saturday.