Promising start for Rovers

A first half hat-trick from Evan Beldon settled this friendly encounter, played at Lea Manor Recreation Ground.

Rovers named a side with a sprinkle of players from the first team, including Jordan Wright who was among the winners at the player of the year awards last season, alongside some of last season’s development squad and some new young faces.

Beldon opened the scoring early on with a neat finish across the goal. 61 levelled matters from the penalty spot, before Kempston re-took the lead with another composed Beldon finish via a deflection. Rovers extended the lead with some brilliant anticipation and close control from Trialist C to nick in ahead of the keeper and squeeze his way along the byline and stroke the ball home in to the empty net with great calmness. Beldon completed his hat-trick before the break with a powerful drive into the roof of the net.

In the second half, mass substitutions affected the pace and tempo of the game, leaving it much less of a spectacle. 61 managed a late consolation from a follow up to an initially well saved free kick, but didn’t really threaten a come back. The second half did see the first usage of the sin bin in a Rovers match, which later saw a red card for a player not even on the pitch for asking how long was left on the clock.

The Walnut Boys training began in earnest this week with thirty three players involved in manager Tony Joyce’ first session of the summer. Rovers will continue preparations this week ahead of their first home game of the preseason schedule against Luton Town U18 on Saturday.

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