Monday 27 February 2012

Keynsham and Bristol Academy handed tough cup tests


Keynsham Town Ladies will continue their record breaking Women's FA Cup run with a home tie against Premier League leaders Sunderland.

The Lady Ks thrashed Sheffield 5-2 at Crown Field on Sunday to make it into the last sixteen for the first time in their history. Naomi Clipston, Kayleigh Sage and a Leanne Lapham penalty put Town three goals up on their Premier League North opponents, though Jodie Michalska pulled two back for Sheffield to put the game on a knife edge. Keynsham rode out the storm, however, Polly Wardle and Ashley Reinecke adding the gloss to the final score, allowing Lapham's miss from her second spot kick to go unpunished.

The cup success will come as welcome respite to Town, who are currently battling relegation from the Premier League South, one half of the third tier of the women's game in England. They currently sit one place above the drop zone on goal difference.

Sunderland have previous in the cup, reaching the final in 2009, and will prove a hefty obstacle for Keynsham's slim quarter-final hopes. Currently, the Black Cats top the Premier League's national division and are revered as the strongest team outside of the top flight Women's Super League, having also claimed the Premier title last term.

The region's only WSL team, Bristol Academy, will also be involved, having been given a bye to the fifth round. The Vixens were also handed a home tie, Leeds United the opposition scheduled to visit the Stoke Gifford Stadium and open Academy's 2012 competitive campaign.

Despite their status as one of the eight semi-professional Super League clubs, progression will be no simple task for the 2011 finalists; Leeds are just three points off Sunderland at the top of the Premier League and have not lost since facing the table toppers in December.

The potential reward for Academy reaching a second consecutive final will not just be the glory of a showpiece national event, as this year's final is being held at Ashton Gate.

Bath based Larkhall Athletic will look on at the draw in envy, as they were unable to repeat their vanquishing of Tottenham in the previous round, falling 3-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Withdean Stadium yesterday. Had they produced another upset against a third tier club, a trip to WSL Chelsea would have been their reward.

All ties are pencilled in to be played on Sunday, March 11th. The full draw is as follows:

Bristol Academy v Leeds United
Barnet v Doncaster Rovers Belles
Charlton Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
Lincoln Ladies v Arsenal
Birmingham City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Everton
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Keynsham Town v Sunderland

Sunday 26 February 2012

Defences hold firm in trapdoor tussle


This was a result that neither side wanted, but both would take. Defeat for either Plymouth Argyle or Dagenham and Redbridge would have put a sizable dent into their quest to avoid the fall off the Football League precipice, but nobody was about to relinquish any ground at Home Park.

It was a frustrating afternoon for everyone involved, the players who had been training in the hope of grasping a season changing win, and the fans, for whom the match had been billed as the biggest of the season. In hindsight, after Saturday's dour displays, it should simply have been the biggest of the season yet.

It was the home side, unbeaten in three and coming off the back of a morale boosting 4-0 win at Accrington, who edged an even first half, before running much of the second, striking the left-hand upright twice within a minute.

The game was low on quality and high on ball trajectory, containing all the hallmarks of a match between two teams fighting for their lives, a scenario that Pilgrims boss Carl Fletcher had predicted in the build up:

"We knew it was going to be scrappy," said the rookie manager. "We spoke all week that we were going to have to earn the right to play and scrap away, and that it was going to be an ugly game.

"We were well aware what was coming and that we had to be patient and, to be fair, the lads have done everything but score a goal. We had three great chances in the first half, hit the post in the twice in the second half and the keeper has pulled off a couple of saves."

But, above all, Fletcher defined the synopsis for his battling squad: "It was vital that we didn't lose; that was a big one for us."

Trepidation was the word of the day and fractured nerves were on show, Maxime Blanchard gave away an early free kick after fouling Jon Nurse 25 yards out; Matt Saunders shot from the resultant dead ball too weak to really trouble Argyle custodian Jake Cole

Nick Chadwick had the first notable effort from open play, blazing over with a sweeping shot following a low cross from the right, owing to a frustrating opening period for the bullish striker who, along with partner Alex MacDonald, found the assistant referee's flag the most challenging opponent.

The advertising hoardings behind either goal were seeing more of the ball than the keepers gloves, Greens captain Paul Wotton dragging a long range drive off target, Nurse failing to get enough purchase on his header, glancing Damien McCrory's left-wing cross wide of the goal for the Daggers.

With the break swiftly approaching, Conor Hourihane wasted the best opportunity of the lot for the Pilgrims. In a situation similar to Chadwick's early profligate strike, the Irish midfielder produced the same end result, skying the ball into the swathes of empty seats between the home and away fans, all the while under little defensive pressure.

When referee Dean Whitestone blew to resume the game, Argyle began to take the initiative. Within seconds of the restart Hourihane had another chance to put the Devon club into the lead, though his final shot was hit straight at debutant Jonathan Bond.

Brian Woodall's effort soared into his own fans at the other end, but it proved only seconds of respite as Ashley Hemmings and Robbie Williams both tried their luck for Plymouth, though their gambles did not pay off.

Each side made only two of their allotted substitutions, but it was Argyle's Luke Daley who had the biggest impact. He and Marcus Bignot attempted to work a move on the right-hand side of the penalty area, and though Dagenham broke it up, the ball squirmed into Daley's path, catching the visiting defence on the back foot and almost resulting in the lead, the wingers prod cannoning off the post.

Not 50 seconds had passed before the woodwork was rattling again. Williams, running on to a half cleared corner, could not have caught his left foot drive any sweeter, though neither could it have hit the post more emphatically.

Bond still had to be on hand to tip two further long range strikes round the post - MacDonald and Williams the players once again denied - the game finally petering out with a host of free kicks during the four minutes of stoppage time, leaving both teams frustrated, but Dagenham feeling slightly better of the two, even though they remain the team propping up the Football League.

John Still underlined Plymouth's recent results, while also sticking to his philosophy on playing the game.

"They've been on a decent run of form and they're a big club, regardless of their league position," said Still, "but we stuck at it and worked hard."

"They had two good efforts in the second half that hit the post without putting us under any sustained pressure. We never try to draw, the changes we made were to bring on attacking players. We want to remain positive."

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Bristol Academy Confirm Fixtures


Bristol Academy have all but finalised their fixture list for the upcoming Women's Super League season, starting and finishing their campaign on Merseyside.

The Vixens begin with a trip to face Liverpool on Sunday, April 8th and will hope to set a precedent to the rest of the league against the side that finished bottom of the inaugural WSL season in 2011, claiming just a single victory in the process.

Stoke Gifford Stadium's opening league fixture will see Academy square off with Lincoln Ladies on April 21st, a 6PM kick to avoid a clash with Bristol City's final home game of the season against Barnsley.

Chelsea will be the final visitors to the Filton College's WISE campus in the penultimate league fixture on September 22nd before the season finishes away to Everton, kicking off at 2PM on October 7th. The only match yet to be arranged is the visit to Lincoln.

Monday also saw the draw for the second edition of the Continental Cup, which will feature all eight of the Super League clubs. Academy were drawn into group one of the new look format, converting from the straight knockout tournament played following the completion of the 2011 season.

Doncaster Rovers Belles will host the Vixens, who fell at the first hurdle to Lincoln last term, three weeks before the league matches begin. Birmingham will visit Bristol while a trip to Everton is also on the cards; the top two sides in each group moving into September's semi-finals.

Following the FA's announcement that this year's Women's FA Cup final will be held at Ashton Gate, Mark Sampson's team will also harbour ambitions of reaching a second consecutive final in their home city, having lost the 2011 showpiece 2-0 to Arsenal at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

The club will enter at the fifth round stage, where they will hope to avoid their top flight rivals, most likely playing on March 11th.

Pre-season training continues for the squad, who followed up their opening win over Tottenham with a ruthless 10-0 thrashing of Plymouth Argyle on Sunday.

The full fixture list can be seen below, with home games shown in bold:

11.03.12 - Women's FA Cup 5th Round (TBA)
17/18.03.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - Continental Cup Round 1
08.04.12 - Liverpool - 2PM
21.04.12 - Lincoln - 6PM
29.04.12 - Birmingham City - 2PM
06.05.12 - Chelsea - 2PM
12/13.05.12 - Birmingham City - Contiental Cup Round 2
19.05.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - 6PM
26.05.12 - Women's FA Cup Final (Ashton Gate)
30.05.12 - Arsenal - 7.15PM
9/10.06.12 - Everton - Contiental Cup Round 3
23.06.12 - Everton - 6PM
07.07.12 - Birmingham City - 6PM
18.08.12 - Liverpool - 6PM
30.08.12 - Arsenal - 7.45PM
09.09.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - 2PM
22.09.12 - Chelsea - 6PM
07.10.12 - Everton - 2PM
TBA - Lincoln

Saturday 11 February 2012

Second half double seals Rovers win


Just as the Bristol Rovers squad deserve praise for their 2-1 victory over Morecambe on Saturday, the Memorial Stadium ground staff deserve their own acclaim for beating the freezing West Country temperatures and making sure the match went ahead.

Head groundsman Richard Allsworth and his team worked throughout the nights building up to the game to keep an eye on the playing surface. Both frost and rain covers protected the turf, while hot air blowing heaters aided the efforts to keep the pitch supple for the Lancastrians visit.

Their labours were duly rewarded as the Pirates pushed on from a dour first half performance to send Jim Bentley's charges on the four hour return journey with nothing to bare.

The game finally opened up in the 57th minute, Lee Brown tapping in from close range; Scott McGleish making it two with a penalty. Substitute Kevin Ellison thrashed in a late goal which, despite continuous late pressure from the visitors, ended as nothing more than a consolation.

It could have been a very different game had Morecambe made their first half forays into the Rovers penalty area count, journeyman forward Jason Price scuffing a shot after just 30 seconds following a defensive lapse.

Phil Jevons, the subject of derisive howls from the home support due to his association with their cross-city rivals, was the next to threaten the hosts' goal. Cian Bolger mistimed a header, allowing Jevons to rush in and clip an effort over the indecisive Michael Poke, though he was left in visible anguish as his shot struck the right hand upright.

Pirates skipper Matt Gill blazed a thumping volley over the top as his side attempted to gain a foothold in the match.

McGleish forced Chris Kettings into a full stretch save, pushing the ball onto the post, before Gill wasted another opportunity, hitting wide after the visiting custodian fumbled when challenged by the boisterous McGleish.

There was an increase in quality from the off in the second half, most notably from the home side who switched from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing the desired effect soon enough.

Eliot Richards, a first half replacement for Joe Anyinsah, went on a marauding run down the right flank, cutting inside and beating three defenders in one move. The 20 year old proceeded to send a teasing low cross goalwards, Matt Harrold flicking the ball towards the back post where Brown was on hand to emphatically hammer into the roof of the net from a yard out.

Fifteen minutes from time the lead went from one to two via the penalty spot. Rovers broke and former Shrimper Craig Stanley played debutant substitute Matthew Lund into the penalty area, the Stoke loanee turning back on Danny Carlton, only to be dragged down by the arm.

Despite missing his previous spot kick in an FA Cup tie with Aston Villa, McGleish kept his cool to slam home his ninth goal of the season, his first as a starting player since November.

Looking to see out the match, the home side were playing five in midfield, but none of the quartered quintet were at fault for the Morecambe goal. Cian Bolger swiped at fresh air, allowing Jordan Burrow to sprint towards Poke who saved his initial drive, but could do no more than parry it into the path of Ellison to ruthlessly thunder a goal back.

It was Ellison who came closest to claiming an undeserved point for the travellers, unleashing a stinging volley that Poke had to be one hand to tip over the bar, sending the ground staff away with an unseasonably warm feeling inside.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Sessegnon settles north-east derby


THE only true blip on Martin O'Neill's start to life in charge of Sunderland was the failure to finish of local rivals Middlesbrough in the FA Cup barely two weeks ago, especially as the original fourth round tie was played at the home that could easily be redubbed 'The Fortress of Light'. The rectification at the Riverside on Wednesday night in a Tees-Wear derby that huffed and puffed but failed to provide any true quality will be satisfactory for the Northern Irishman.

The fact that the first game finished 1-1 was a disappointment among a set of supporters that have been on an almost opiate high, more pertinently because of the denial of a perfectly good goal by a poor piece of judgement from a linesman.

This replay, settled by Stephane Sessegnon's strike in the 23rd minute of extra time, puts Sunderland into a last-16 tie with Arsenal in just a couple of weekends time. The Beninese attacker's goal was required to finish of a plucky Boro, who had drawn level through Lucas Jutkiewicz in the second half, following Jack Colback's stunning opener.

With the in-form Black Cats desperately chasing the unlikely top six finish that would grant a Europa League spot, a run to a Wembley final could provide O'Neill's charges with a berth in continental competition come next term.

Middlesbrough started the game compact and fluent, looking to work Sunderland out of the tie, but remaining wary of their opponents' Premiership quality, though neither side's final product was worthy of creating a derby hero. Julio Arca, an adopted son of north-east football, wastefully shot at Simon Mignolet from a perplexing angle for Boro; January loan signing Jutkiewicz's effort flying closer to the South Stand roof than it did towards the Belgian's goal in the opening exchanges.

The home team continued to push and a fairly innocuous free kick almost produced the opener. A woefully timed defensive header allowed Seb Hines to stretch for a volley, forcing the Sunderland custodian into an impressive reaction stop.

That's not to write O'Neill's on-song team out of the script, it's just that they weren't producing any drama. When the Black Cats did possess a momentary threat, it was soon wiped out by effortful defending; Sessegnon flicking the ball into Michael Turner's path, only for the London-born defender to dawdle, allowing Matthew Bates to fly in with a block to maintain the parity.

And yet, despite their lacking edge, Middlesbrough were right to remain cagey of the Premier League class. John O'Shea sent a high ball onto Fraizer Campbell's head, the 24 year-old nodding the ball down for Colback to control and hit a magnificent swerving volley onto the angle of post and crossbar and into the net.

It wasn't a lead that Sunderland truly deserved, though neither were Boro worthy of an advantage themselves. Still, it proved the spark for an entertaining finish to first half proceedings, the Championship side refusing to take their bow without a fight. Phil Bardsley was forced to throw himself feet first at a sweetly struck Tony McMahon drive, while Mignolet was similarly required to leave the ground, pushing Curtis Main's stinging effort wide of his right-hand post.

Where the first half had given the visitors a goal against the run of play, the second spun 180 degrees; the hosts finding a reply with just over 30 minutes to go as Jutkiewicz volleyed into the bottom corner after Main's flying header dropped invitingly for the ex-Everton youngster. The gleeful look on Jutkiewicz's face as he celebrated in front of the home end was not only down to the equaliser itself, but for the release of tension that came with his first goal since signing on loan from Coventry, after four goalless appearances in a red shirt.

Sunderland slowly worked their way back into the half, almost snatching the lead back through Phil Bardsley, only to see the right back's shot cannon off the post with Jason Steele in the Middlesbrough goal flying despairingly for the unreachable ball.

Three second half substitutes did not provide Boro with the impetus to take the game in normal time, the seats at either end receiving a peppering from the frustratingly inaccurate forward lines. The moronic pair of pitch invaders, one of whom seemingly attempted to slide tackle Justin Hoyte, proving the only vaguely newsworthy point as the game limped into extra time.

It was one of those subs, namely Marvin Emnes, who could and, certainly in the eyes of the home support, probably should have given Middlesbrough the lead, but his shot from fourteen yards was charged down after Hoyte had burst past Kieran Richardson to lay the ball into his path.

The Dutchman's dallying proved costly as, with just seven minutes remaining, Sessegnon provided the decisive blow, sweeping a finish past Steele to secure the home tie with Arsenal on February 18th, with the added bonus of a fourth live game on ITV in as many matches in this season's FA Cup.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Bleazard and Sherwood depart Academy


In the build-up to the 2012 FAWSL season, Bristol Academy have suffered two further losses to their playing squad; midfielders Helen Bleazard and Katie Sherwood leaving the West Country to join rivals Chelsea.

The departures compound a frustrating close-season that has also seen Dutch international star Anouk Hoogendijk return home to former club FC Utrecht, following just a single season in England's top flight.

The trio's migration will leave a gaping hole across the Academy midfield - winger Bleazard was an ever-present in the 2011 Super League campaign while Hoogendijk missed just a single game. Coupled with the international experience all three possess, the Vixens have lost a major part of the successful midfield that helped the club into their debut FA Cup final and European adventure in 2011.

Sunday 8 January 2012

Villa see off Rovers in dour tie


Given the tumultuous nature of the past week and their disastrous season thus far, Bristol Rovers could be forgiven for a lack of emotion at being knocked out of the FA Cup, not least with their Football League status on the line. What will not improve the mood around the north of the City was the way the club slinked out at the third round stage - without a whimper.

Manager Paul Buckle was turfed out of the Memorial Stadium club on Tuesday, having barely been in charge for seven months, leaving the Pirates 19th in League 1. The job for his replacement will be staving off a second consecutive relegation, this time to the oblivion of the Conference, though if they were watching this match, the realisation of the task lying in their wait will have hit them.

At least Alex McLeish was still in the dugout for the travelling Midlanders, despite his less than smooth ride since crossing the second city to Villa Park; he will be thankful that this potential banana skin didn't provide any further bumps, despite the bobbly turf his side had to acclimatise to. Such was the will the Scot put into claiming victory here, a near full strength Villa eleven waded out into the Rovers' bog.

The hosts bright start belied the negative display that followed, Chris Zebroski lacking power with an effort that Brad Guzan collected at his feet in the opening exchanges.

Emile Heskey's fitness had been in question leading up to the match, but he nevertheless took up the familiar number 18 shirt, and would have put the Villains ahead after connecting with a corner were it not for Michael Poke's fingertips. Before long, however, the visitors began to take a stranglehold on the game, eventually taking the lead through Marc Albrighton.

Stiliyan Petrov provided a through ball of Premier League quality, Albrighton running in behind off-guard Rovers captain Gary Sawyer and striking the ball between the legs of Poke for the lead.

With one man up top, the Pirates rarely looked like threatening an equaliser, Zebroski producing the best attempt at levelling the scores, though Guzan made the relatively straightforward catch look a tad dramatic.

The seven time cup winners had opportunities to double their advantage, Stephen Warnock shanking a forceful drive with acres of marshland in space, much to the glee of the Gasheads in the home end.

Rovers started the second half with a similar verve to the first, Joe Anyinsah forcing his way to the dead-ball line and pulling back for veteran forward Scott McGleish, his swipe at the ball finding nothing but the chilly West Country air.

Soon enough the visitors settled back into a rhythm, clocking up a fair wedge of the possession along the way, though this was mainly due to the home teams lack of pressure and seeming fear to challenge the ball carrier.

With Rovers gradually being forced back towards their own penalty area the second goal became an inevitability for Villa, substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor eventually breaking their resolve, shrugging off Cian Bolger in midfield and placing his final effort into the bottom corner from outside the box.

If the game wasn't already over, Ciaran Clark made sure of a safe passage through to the fourth round, driving towards the penalty area unchallenged before bamboozling two defending Rovers with a series of stepovers and beating Poke with another sublimely simple finish.

Only then did the Pirates break free of their shackles, thanks in part to a helping hand from Richard Dunne. The Irishman, totally unsighted, looped a backpass towards Guzan, turning round in surprise to find McGleish lurking on the edge of the area. The 37 year old proceeded to lob the Villa custodian in two touches for a thoroughly undeserved consolation.

Spurred on by their lucky break, it was only then that the hosts began to attack in numbers, Warnock conceding a penalty for handball, allowing McGleish, scorer of 246 career goals to add further respectability to the scoreline. Guzan, who was in no way at fault for the first, refused to be beaten a second time, rounding off his night with a satisfying save from the weak spot kick, seeing Villa through to the last 32 with only five minutes of fuss.

Wednesday 4 January 2012

It's okay, Gasheads, you can open your eyes now


Few Rovers fans could hide the grin that spread from ear to ear once they had read the latest update from the club's official Twitter feed on Tuesday evening.

"BREAKING NEWS: Paul Buckle has been relieved of his duties," there may be some hope for the club yet.

For the majority of Gasheads, it had been a long time coming. The clubs slump from the safety of League 1 towards the foot of the basement division over the past season and a half has made for horrific viewing, but what made it all the more cringeworthy was the sideshow that had developed around Buckle.

Upon his appointment, there was a new life breathed into a club that had gasping for air like a drowning rat. The pre-season campaign was comprised of exhilarating attacking football, not seen at Rovers for many years, I even wrote a number of articles praising his approach and the tactics he employed. How wrong it proved to be.

All the furore that surrounded those results seems a long, long time ago, as things went wrong within a few of weeks of the league season kicking off.

It wasn't just the fact that the team was being beaten, it was the manner of the defeats. Rovers have conceded three or more goals on seven occasions in League 2 thus far, including home games against Cheltenham and Port Vale.

Team selection is an area where every armchair fan believes they can outdo their manager, that is so often true at any club, but with Buckle, the mistakes seemed fairly obvious to the thousands of unqualified Mourinho's within the Memorial Stadium. Chris Zebroski is the case in point for this; the man is a striker, yet he was continually played out on the wing.

He has the pace to be a wideman; it's his skill, or lack of, that lets him down when played on the flanks. His one and only method of beating his man comes straight out of the David Pipe handbook: push it ten yards down the line and use your outright speed to get there before the fullback. Unfortunately, his crossing ability is also reminiscent to that of the Welshman, while I won't go so far as to compare his temperament and distinct lack of hair.

That's not to spread a dislike for Zebroski, his physicality and pace offer a threat to centre backs and he can be a key player for the season to come, though only if he starts up front. Similarly notable incidents include playing Scott McGleish out wide, Gary Sawyer in the centre of defence for a sustained period and, in his last game and a half, Eliot Richards in the centre of midfield.

It's as though Buckle was using Scrabble tiles to play Connect 4. 'Quiz' may score you 22 points on a Scrabble board, but it will earn you nothing on the league table.

It was the game against the Valiants that proved the turning point for many supporters, the players and staff left the field to a chorus of boos after a listless performance that culminated in a 3-0 defeat. What occurred afterwards, however, made up the majority's minds.

Rumours abounded amongst internet forums that, once back in the dressing room, Buckle had slammed Bristolians as '****s'. This was leaked out from within the club and, while never confirmed until a Bristol Evening Post article the day after the 41 year old's sacking, set fans against the manager for good, as well as getting the board of directors' backs up.

There is a line of argument that what is said in the heat of the moment within the sanctity of the changing rooms should be taken with a pinch of salt, but to come out with such a comment when you are already under an inordinate amount of pressure was moronic to say the least.

It was not the first time Buckle's attitude had come up against him; throughout his post-match interviews he appeared overtly arrogant. Very rarely did he admit to his own mistakes, often creating a raft of excuses as to why his side had failed, and generally coming across as smug to the point he believed the sun shone from within one of his own orifices. No-one is quite sure which, but it certainly helped to keep his tan topped up.

This egotistical persona created ruptures within the dressing room; Jo Kuffour left on loan to Gillingham after being left out of the squad for a Carling Cup game, a decision Buckle claimed to make after the striker told him his head wasn't in the right place. The ex-Bournemouth striker's parting shot countered this version of events, though that was only given minor coverage compared to the high profile fall out with fans favourite Stuart Campbell.

The pair played out a war of words through the local media, eventually, chairman Nick Higgs was forced to come in and settle the matter like the proverbial weary parent driving the car. Campbell never made another appearance in a quartered shirt before being released, meaning that Gasheads never got the chance to say goodbye to their former captain, manager and club stalwart for seven-and-a-half years, the anti-Buckle sentiment growing inextricably.

He remained at the club over the festive season, however, despite a 4-1 mauling at Gillingham, where he had claimed his charges had been on top for periods of the game, not that any of the travelling fans had seen domination of any form.

At 2-0 up come the half time whistle on Boxing day against Plymouth, one of the few sides left beneath Rovers, it looked as though Santa had brought Buckle some salvation for Christmas, only for the manager to throw it away the very next day. Argyle mounted an epic fightback, snatching an injury time winner to leave the gaffers position almost untenable, though the final step was taken soon enough.

The 5-2 humbling at the Mem by an average Crewe side made up the board's mind, even though he was left in charge for the Bank Holiday loss at Barnet. It was against the Alex that the manager appeared to finally lose his marbles, using all three substitutions at half time, including the goalkeeper and centre back Byron Anthony, with the Pirates 4-1 down.

But it's all over now, there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. When that light steps out onto the Memorial Stadium turf remains to be seen, but Toni Watola, the club's financial director, announced to Points West that it would be 'seven to ten days'.

Gary Johnson's name has been banded about, after he refused to deny that he would apply for the job when asked on live TV, around an hour after the sacking was confirmed, though the smirk on his face gave away his vulture-like intentions to jump straight onto Buckle's still warm corpse.

The former Bristol City boss would be a brave choice for the board, given the 56 year old's history with Rovers. After his last two managerial appointments, any attempt by Higgs to make a move so gallant, will most likely rear calls for him to ride his white horse into the sunset if it all goes belly up.

Whoever takes the spot in the dugout deserves a medal for grasping the seemingly poisoned chalice, there is a huge task ahead of them, not just in terms of sustaining Football League status, but also in repairing the fractious state the club finds itself in.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Buckle Relieved Of Rovers Role


Bristol Rovers have confirmed that manager Paul Buckle has been relieved of his duties at the Memorial Stadium.

After suffering relegation from League 1 last season, fans and the media alike had high expectations that Rovers could get automatic promotion back to the third tier at the first attempt.

After an excellent pre-season that saw the first-team squad lose only to Championship side Reading, the future was looking bright, but 24 games into the season, the club find themselves 19th in League 2, just five points away from the relegation zone.

The club's chairman, Nick Higgs, released a statement with the announcement on the official Rovers website, saying:

"We are all very disappointed that this appointment has not worked out.

"Although we are aware that we need to find stability at the club, we felt we could not go any further with the current situation as the threat of relegation was becoming too real.

"We started the season with a great deal of hope for a successful campaign, but this has not been the case so far, despite promising early form.

"Our aim this season was to strive for promotion, and that has obviously not happened, so we felt we needed to make a change.

"As many of you are aware, I am currently out of the country, but I am in constant contact with the club and will strive to make an appointment as soon as possible."

Rovers opened the season live on Sky Sports, beating newly promoted AFC Wimbledon 3-2, but the situation has since gone downhill.

Following a 2-1 defeat to Buckle's former club Torquay after the first home game, the team were booed from the pitch, and this continued for the majority of games until his departure.

The 21 new signings made since his appointment failed to gel as the Pirates inconsistent form turned into a debacle - there were heavy defeats away to Crawley and Oxford, as well as home losses to Cheltenham and Port Vale.

The last League game Rovers won came at the end of October against Dagenham, they have taken just two points from a possible 24 in the eight games that have followed.

Consecutive 1-1 draws against promotion hopefuls Southend and Swindon leant false hope to supporters, but four defeats since, have seen the club slump further.

By this time the fans were already growing tired of the lacklustre football on display and predictable excuses from the manager, who refused to accept any blame for the situation his side find themselves in, but the string of results over the holiday period was the final straw for the disgruntled support.

Rovers threw away a 2-0 lead against 23rd placed Plymouth to lose 3-2 at the Memorial Stadium on Boxing Day and the 5-2 thrashing dished out by Crewe at the same venue on New Year's Eve left the manager's job hanging by a thread.

A third defeat in a week, away at Barnet, proved one step too far for the board, who sacked the 41 year old on Tuesday.

It wasn't only the on-pitch performances that drew grief from supporters, a high profile fall-out with former captain Stuart Campbell resulted in the fans favourite being released after seven and a half years at the club. That was the pinnacle of a number of clashes between manager and players, which also saw Jo Kuffour leave on loan for Gillingham, where he proceeded to score seven goals in 13 appearances.

Assistant manager Shaun North will take charge of the FA Cup third round tie against Premier League Aston Villa on Saturday, which will be shown live on ESPN.

Careless Mistakes Costly For Luckless Rovers


Rovers hapless holiday period was compounded with a 2-0 defeat away to relegation rivals Barnet in North London.

The Pirates wasted numerous chances at the end of the first period before capitulating at the end of the second; Izale McLeod's 15th of the season and Clovis Kamdjo bagging the points that bring the Bees level on points with Rovers.

Sunday's loan signings, goalkeeper Michael Poke and central defender Aaron Downes both took up immediate places in the starting 11 while Eliot Richards replaced Joe Anyinsah, playing in a central midfield role alongside Andy Dorman in Paul Buckle's 4-1-4-1 formation.

The manager's situation continues to look extremely precarious, with just two points taken from the last possible 24. The only two victories since October have come against non-league opposition in the FA Cup, but with Premier League Aston Villa coming up on Saturday, the cup run appears odds on to end.

Once the Gas fell behind on 69 minutes, the calls for the Buckle's head began ringing out from the travelling fans yet again, the mood amongst supporters leaving Buckle's position increasingly untenable.

The home side created the bulk of the first halves chances, though their profligate shooting prevented any breakthrough - Mark Marshall's swinging left foot sending the ball over the roof of Underhill's South Stand.

Poke, playing his first competitive game since August 2010, looked confident throughout the game, adeptly dealing with numerous crosses into his penalty area while also smothering the ball at the onrushing feet of McLeod.

Even though they had been under the cosh for much of the game, it was Rovers who ended the first period on top; captain-for-the-day Gary Sawyer testing Dean Brill's reactions with a forceful drive, which was only kept out by the former Luton keeper's fingertips.

Downes was then inches wide from a Mustapha Carayol corner; the winger's centre flew towards the far post, but the grey-haired centre back was unable to divert the ball past Brill.

When the players re-emerged from the tunnel for the second half, Matt Harrold was not among them, Scott McGleish, who spent over three years at Barnet earlier in his career, the replacement. The under-fire Buckle, however, retained the tactics from the first half.

Richards twice burst from midfield, but failed to net a fifth goal of the season with either attempt.

Minutes later the young Welshman was floored after Danny Senda attempted to kick clear a head high ball, catching Richards in the process. Unfortunately, referee Lee Collins waved away calls for a penalty before stopping play just seconds afterwards for Richards to receive treatment.

The Gas, now attacking down the infamous Underhill slope, then had the opportunity they had been waiting for, Chris Zebroski's pace allowing him to run free of a clutch of orange shirts. Left one-on-one with Brill, the 25 year old was unable to hit the back of the net, Brill falling to his left and clutching the striker's shot.

Soon enough the home side broke the deadlock, League 2 top scorer McLeod the inevitable source. Poke played a high ball upfield which was sent back by a Barnet touch towards Downes and Cian Bolger. Neither player took control of the situation, allowing the ball to bounce between them, where McLeod's fleet feet left them for dead.

The ball was still bouncing and the on-loan stopper darted off his line to lessen the angle, only to see McLeod dink the final shot over his head for the opener, meaning the forward is now three clear at the top of the fourth tier scoring charts.

The arrival of Joe Anyinsah, in place of Craig Stanley, made no impact on the game and, with ten minutes still to run, Barnet put the game beyond Rovers.

The Bees won a corner, which was taken short to Ricky Holmes. With the visiting defence caught off guard, the frontman advanced down the byline and laid the ball off for Kamdjo to thump over the line and add to Gashead's world of misery.