Alder & Bevan at the double as Tuffley thrash Worcester Raiders
Kieran Alder and Brad Bevan scored two each as Tuffley Rovers beat Worcester Raiders to extend their unbeaten league run to four.
After a goalless first half an hour, Bevan blasted home from close range and having allowed Raiders a lot of the ball, the hosts didn’t look back from then on.
Bevan grabbed his second five minutes later before a neat move resulted in Alder blasting home from about 10 yards to make it 3-0 going into half time.
And the Rovers skipper would chip in a beautiful fourth for his side – who grabbed their first league win since their 2-1 win over Highworth Town in November.
Despite not winning in three league games, Rovers are now unbeaten in four in the Hellenic Premier, having drawn at Fairford and Droitwich Spa.
Tuffley’s good run of form comes after a tough October and start of November that saw them lose six out of seven games in all competitions – with only a 0-0 draw at Hereford Pegasus the only positive result.
The victory is also Tuffley’s highest margin of victory since their 7-3 win over Lydney Town at the end of November 2024.
Rovers now have a full week off, before they welcome Droitwich Spa to Glevum Park in the next round of the Challenge Cup – before three crucial all-Gloucestershire home games in Lydney, Longlevens and Cinderford either side of the Festive period.
But Saturday’s game saw both sides cancel each other out early on – with Raiders having more of the ball but not really creating too many problems for the hosts.
Connor Jakeways curled over for Raiders, before Ben Sanogo’s driven effort was easily saved by Alex Hammond.
And with their first meaningful effort, Tuffley broke the deadlock. Karnell Chambers and Corey Warrington combined down the left side of the box, with the latter’s ball stood up to the back post.
And after a head down, Brad Bevan was on hand to blast home from close range.
Just five minutes later it was 2-0, as Chambers this time got into space down the left side of the box and after his ball in was only parried out by Charlie Emery, Bevan diverted the rebound into the bottom corner.
Cam Monteith nearly pulled one back moments later, but his cross from the left crashed off the far post before bouncing across goal.
And Raiders’ misery was compounded in injury time as Kieran Alder combined with Chambers, who back heeled into Harley Mustoe’s path. Emery produced a great stop to keep out Mustoe’s effort, but Alder was on hand to convert the loose ball.
Raiders were stunned, it hadn’t been a 3-0 game – but credit to Tuffley, they had been incredibly clinical.
After seeing out the first 15 minutes of the second half, Tuffley added a fourth when Alder beat the offside trap to scoop an effort over the on-rushing Emery to seal the deal.
In the end Tuffley saw the game out easily enough, with Harley Mustoe, Callum McLean and Kieran Alder all putting in incredible individual performances in what was a great defensive effort in the final 30 minutes.
With three crucial home games to come, Neil Mustoe’s men will look to keep building momentum and keep their unbeaten league run going into the New Year.
Tuffley Rovers: Hammond, McLean, Simpson, Kelly, Herbert, Warrington, McGuirk, Alder, Chambers, Bevan, Mustoe
Subs: Valenti, Sanniola, Creed, Clifford
Worcester Raiders: Emery, Eades, Hamilton, Sanogo, Stoddart, Hewitt, Fuller, Monteith, Taylor, Jakeways, Baker-Mckay
Subs: Donnelly, Murray, Baker, Whitton, Giles
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Harley Mustoe (Tuffley Rovers)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
