Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon celebrates first win on home turf over Barnsley


Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon was able to celebrate a home win for the first time thanks to a thrilling 3-1 win over high-flying Barnsley at The Mem.
Goals Goals from Gatlin O’Donkor, Isaac Hutchinson and substitute Ruel Sotiriou lifted Rovers into 16th place in the League One table and further from the relegation zone.
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Hide AdFormer Gas boss Darrell Clarke’s side began well but Rovers goalkeeper Josh Griffiths came to the rescue when he blocked Max Watters’s shot after he was put through by Jon Russell.
The Gas should have capitalised on sloppy play from Barnsley but skipper Scott Sinclair shanked his effort on goal saw the ball go well past the post
Just before the 15 minute mark, Watters had a one-on-one against Josh Griffiths, but it was the Gas keeper who came out on top producing an excellent save.
Barnsley continued to boss the game but top scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn’s piledriver was pushed to safety by Griffiths who then pulled off another top-drawer save to frustrate Watters.
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Hide AdRovers eventually got going and a defensive mistake from the Tykes was quickly capitalised on after Romaine Sawyers’ pressure earned himself a shot on goal but Kllip was there to halt The Gas’ chances of taking the lead.
But he wasn’t able to hold out for long as just moments after, Oxford United loanee Gatlin O’Donkor put The Gas 1-0 ahead with an excellent header from close range, leaving the Barnsley goalkeeper helpless.
Rovers doubled the lead on 50 minutes after centre-back James Wilson broke through only to be thwarted by Killip but he remained composed enough to find Isaac Huthinson who slotted it home into an empty net.
Back came Barnsley and after being forced to Rovers defend for long periods, Barnsley hi back on 65 minutes as Corey O’Keefe’s free kick was headed in by Josh Earl.
It set the stage for a tense finale but substitute Ruel Sotiriou eased he nerves, slotting home after an excellent cross from Wilson on 85 minutes to send the locals home happy.