Tuffley Rovers blow Longlevens away to advance in Severn Sport Cup

Tuffley Rovers U18s produced a stunning second half performance to beat local rivals Longlevens 4-2, to advance into the Second Round of the CYFL’s Severn Sport Cup.

Two Theo Bevan penalties put the hosts ahead twice, with Leo Rose and Kaelen Venna equalising on each occasion for Tuffley – before two goals from substitute Luke Roberts in two minutes saw his side ease to a deserved victory on the night.

Rovers were looking for a reaction to the 2-1 defeat at Saw Mills in the league in September – their only defeat so far this season.

Both sides are in County Cup action this weekend, with Longlevens set to host Quedgeley Wanderers, whilst Tuffley head to Kings Stanley Dragons Youth – however Rovers have a quick turnaround with a home league fixture with Cirencester Town on Thursday night.

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The game started open and free-flowing, with Leo Rose and Ollie Samuels combining down the Tuffley right – but they were unable to test Ben Ansermoz.

Subee Rajkumar struck the foot of the post with the first shot of the game, before the Levens winger was played through by Theo Bevan, but the effort was blocked by the on-rushing Rovers keeper, James Wilkes.

Leo Rose hit the post for the visitors on 16 minutes, after cutting inside from the right and working a yard of space. Rose then whipped his second effort of the game over the bar after once again doing well to cut inside.

Rose was unlucky just before the half hour mark, as he made a great run across the near post and saw his header into the ground bounce over the Levens goal.

On 33 minutes, the deadlock was broken. After Rajkumar worked space down the left, his cross struck a hand and a penalty was awarded.

Bevan stepped up to smash his side ahead, albeit they were yet to really click into life.

Rose had the final chance of the half, but after cutting in from the right yet again, his effort was turned round the post by Ansermoz.

It felt like Rose would be the man to get his side back into the game and he did, firing into the bottom corner two minutes into the second half.

Within seconds, Bevan was restoring his side’s lead from the penalty spot – after Rajkumar was tripped in the box for the hosts’ second penalty of the night.

Three goals in seven minutes saw Rovers grab the tie by the scruff of the neck and seal the deal.

First, Luke Roberts teed up Kaelen Venna to side foot past Ansermoz as Rovers took advantage of Harley Walsh being off the pitch receiving treatment.

Then, Tuffley were given a penalty of their own as Joe Amankwah was dragged to the ground inside the box, with Luke Roberts stepping up to smash his spot kick home.

Two minutes later, Rovers flooded forward down the right and after the ball came into the box and he completely missed his first kick, Roberts was able to slot past Ansermoz to complete the comeback.

Tuffley could have won by an even larger margin in the end, with Ansermoz producing a smart stop from sub Leo Badham, before Amankwah blazed wide and over from good positions.

To sum up the difference between the two sides in the second half, Levens’ closest effort to get back into the game saw a deflected effort loop towards goal – only for Wilkes to produce a stunning save, diving to his left to palm over.

Rovers move onto Thursday night’s league game to continue their strong start to the season and are in the hat for the Severn Sport Cup Second Round draw – which takes place on Saturday’s Buttee’s For Breakfast programme.

Longlevens U18s: Ansermoz, Heigham, Walsh, Tomlinson, Giddy, Sharp, Fogg, Eagle, Bevan, Rajkumar, Wood

Subs: Karayiannis, Oni, Diallo, Smith, Martyka

Tuffley Rovers U18s: Wilkes, Tyler, Curtis, Samuels, Bolger-Allen, Tomkins, Rose, Dee, Origbaajo, Clifford, Venna

Subs: Roberts, Badham, Amankwah, Ahmed, Thornton

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ollie Samuels (Tuffley Rovers U18s)