United’s reserves lost 5-1 at Bristol Rovers last night, their second heavy defeat in that city this season, having lost 5-0 to Bristol City a couple of weeks back. The salt in the wound was that Rovers included Nigel Jemson in their line-up, although to be fair United fielded a very inexperienced side, with only Paul McCarthy with any first team experience in the starting line-up. This was McCarthy’s first game of the season as he recovers from injury.

Rovers were 4-0 up at half-time, thanks to two goals apiece from Wayne Carlisle and Lewis Haldane. Dwight Ciampoli pulled a goal back for United direct from a free-kick on 69 minutes, but Haldane completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute to complete the Us’ humiliation. David Oldfield replaced triallist striker Darren Watson, and United had another triallist in goalkeeper Gary Hateley.

In other news Manny Omoyinmi has now gone on loan to Margate for one month and is likely to feature in their match against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. United’s under-15 goalkeeper Gareth Tucker has been called up to join the England under-16 squad in their training at Lilleshall on 22nd September. Tucker is the only player from a Division Three club in the England squad.