Bristol Rovers Season Review 2014/15 - Part Four

The goals had not been flowing at any time before April began, but that changed emphatically over the Easter weekend, with a gung-ho Chester FC side being hit for five. An unassailable lead was established by half-time through Matt Taylor’s header, a Lee Mansell shot that deflected in off Ben Henaghan for an own goal, and a simple tap-in from Andy Monkhouse. However, there was the setback of Jermaine Easter picking up an injury that would keep him out for the remainder of the season.

A brief Chester response in the second half brought about a goal for Oliver McBurnie, but Rovers soon reasserted their authority as Monkhouse’s shot went straight through goalkeeper Jon Worsnop and Ellis Harrison powerfully finished off a delightful back-heeled through ball from fellow substitute Nathan Blissett to complete the rout.

His regular goalscoring exploits earned Harrison a place in the starting XI for the Easter Monday encounter with cash-strapped Kidderminster Harriers, and he took full advantage of Darrell Clarke’s faith by heading the opener from a free-kick early in the second half, and then capitalising on indecisive defending to make it two. A first ever league win at Aggborough was sealed when Taylor scored late on, making it eight goals in four days.

Grimsby were right in the race for top spot, but Barnet would not relinquish it, edging their way to victories over Dartford and FC Halifax Town. It remained the same after the events of April 12, with Southport providing the opposition for a routine home success as Harrison and Taylor were the mark again in comfortable - if a little sterile - 2-0 victory.

Three straight wins could not be made a fourth in the final away match at Dover Athletic as Rovers were denied the chance to go into the final day in top spot in heart-wrenching circumstances through the scrappiest of last-gasp equalisers. Barnet were held to a 1-1 draw at Kidderminster, meaning victory would be enough to overtake them. An unattractive game played in tricky conditions at the Crabble looked to have been settled by another Harrison goal, but Dover again thwarted us at the death as Ricky Modeste got the final touch to a goalmouth melee.

It was hard to take, but there was still a chance on the final day as we needed to beat Alfreton Town and hope Barnet dropped points against Gateshead. A Conference record crowd turned up hoping to celebrate promotion, in a game which also meant a lot to our opponents, who needed a win to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Barnet took an early lead, which dampened the atmosphere a touch, but Rovers soon found their stride and went in front through the recalled Jake Gosling, and sure enough, Harrison and Taylor were both in on the act as we played with great freedom before the break. The gulf between the two sides was emphasised even further in a very one-sided second half, although a second for Barnet had us resigned to the prospect of the play-offs. Taylor grabbed his second shortly after the restart, with Lee Mansell, Andy Monkhouse and Tom Parkes scoring later on to make the score-line 7-0, one of the biggest wins in the club’s history.

As Barnet celebrated automatic promotion, there was guarded optimism around the club as we showed real quality over the final weeks. Finding out that Forest Green Rovers would be the side to face in the play-off semi-finals brought about a sense of caution, but there was little time to reflect as the first leg came as the following Wednesday.

As it turned out, the evidence of both legs suggested that fans need not have worried, as Forest Green were comprehensively outplayed throughout the 180 minutes. The first half at the New Lawn was particularly one-sided, with Rovers deserving more than the single goal lead given to them by Matt Taylor, who spun wonderfully to find the far corner from a tight angle. Our top scorer proved a great handful for his former club, who did make more of a game of it in the second half, seeing a header come back off the crossbar late on. FGR defender Charlie Clough was lucky not to see red for violent conduct, but a fiery Ellis Harrison did get dismissed for a second booking after getting involved in a duel with Dale Bennett.

Rovers were able to hold on ahead of what seemed set to be a nervy occasion at the Memorial Stadium; but an early Jon Parkin effort aside, it was comfortable thanks to a highly accomplished display which saw a place at Wembley secured with minimal fuss. A superb move down the left saw Chris Lines register the opening goal of the second leg as the on-loan midfielder emphatically lashed home after an intelligent dummy from Nathan Blissett.

Taylor was there to wrap up the victory with a minute of normal time to spare to complete a highly satisfactory afternoon and send Rovers to the national stadium, where they would face a Grimsby Town side that ominously swept Eastleigh aside in their play-off semi-final. It would be tough, and the two teams appeared to be so evenly matched…

After an unbearably long two-week wait, the two sides took to the field amid great fanfare on a bright and breezy afternoon in North London. Rovers had not conceded a goal to Grimsby in either of their meetings up until then, but that would change within two minutes as a nervous start from Darrell Clarke’s men allowed Nathan Arnold to charge forward and his pass was latched on to by Lenell John-Lewis, with the ball ricocheting into the net after Will Puddy had saved his first effort.

It seemed a deflating disaster, and it affected the players for a period as Grimsby came close on a few occasions before our first really good move led to the corner that produced our equaliser. Back from suspension, Harrison beat Ollie Palmer in the challenge and thundered a shot home; a memorable achievement, and the final goal of what eventually turned out to be a real breakthrough season for a player who looked surplus to requirements 12 months previously.

From then on the game was a much more even affair, and Rovers just about edged a cagey second period which left few to doubt that it would be heading for extra time and possibly penalties. It was still unbelievably nerve-wracking every time Grimsby approached are penalty area with any kind of menace, but a much more assured looking Rovers backline dealt with any meaningful danger.

The extra 30 minutes came and still neither side could make a telling breakthrough, but Chris Lines did come close with a header and Nathan Blissett - on for the injured Harrison - was causing problems with his pace. As the players tired, penalties were set to decide the game but ahead of the shootout, Darrell Clarke played his trump card by sending on Steve Mildenhall in goal in place of the much less imposing figure of Puddy.

As it turned out, the former Mariners stopper did not have to make a save, but that was more than made up for by the accuracy of the Rovers penalty takers. Chris Lines, Matt Taylor and Lee Brown all dispatched theirs with conviction before Jon-Paul Pittman stepped up and looked to follow in the footsteps of Craig Disley and John-Lewis who had both converted their kicks. However, the American blazed his way over the crossbar amid a complete and utter loss of composure.

It was now advantage Rovers and Angelo Balanta perfectly placed his effort into the corner, only for Craig Clay to force Lee Mansell to have to score to take us back into the Football League. It was a heart-stopping time as he walked up, but the vice-captain was absolutely the right man to take it, firing high into the top corner to spark amazing scenes of celebration from players and supporters. It was a sensational moment that will never be forgotten.

For Darrell Clarke, a much deserved success after a turbulent 14 months in charge where he had to deal with the anguish and vitriol following relegation. He put together a squad that clearly played with staunch commitment to the cause, while for the supporters it was a reward for loyalty, thanks to their record breaking efforts in 2014-15. They helped break attendance records for the Conference - including in the play-off final, and at several stadiums, for example Forest Green. There was even a time when we brought too many fans, as some were not allowed in to the draw at Woking.

So it was a real shame that some gave the club a bad name. The repercussions of the fateful loss to Mansfield saw several face legal action and imprisonment, while there were also regrettable incidents at Braintree Town (where a punch was thrown from the away end before an angry ‘fan’ found his way on to the Rovers team bus) and at home to Dartford (where away goalkeeper Jason Brown was the victim of a racist comment). The throwing of smoke bombs at some of the later home games was ill-advised, and the wearing of orange T-shirts as a mark of protest towards Sainsbury’s was lacking in class.

But success at Wembley condemned those as minor, unwanted footnotes in an unforgettable season. The Conference has been a remarkable journey, but one we will not want to experience again. We will not miss visiting some of the tiny grounds owned by part-time teams, nor will we miss the refereeing. In many ways, the experience was more than worthwhile, but never again!

 

Any comments and feedback (positive or negative) on my overall review would be most welcome. A big thank you to everyone fpr taking the time to read all four parts.

 

Looks all good to me. Good work.

 

Keep producing pieces like you have on these four reports and its only a matter time before you will get a GOLD STAR

 

I liked reading these a lot. Brought back some good memories.

I was still thinking though we were going to lose the pen shootout reading your review

Brilliant work thou AMOT

 

Great work and a heartfelt record of a season which already feels like some sort of dream!

 

I can't believe how long ago it seems now