Bodin and Taylor’s reception and Belshaw’s finger-wag - moments missed from Bristol Rovers win over Oxford

Bristol Rovers won their first home game of the season at the second time of asking, with a 1-0 victory over Oxford United.

John Marquis scored the only goal of the game 34 minutes in, when a touch from Aaron Collins diverted a free kick onto the head over the Rovers number nine, who couldn’t miss after placing himself in a good position.

It was a result that sent the fans in the Memorial Stadium sunshine home happy with a respectable six points from the nine that were on offer.

Plenty of fans attended the match and it was always shown to fans who couldn’t make it, but we’ve picked out some moments you may have missed

Wael is back!

Club owner Wael Al-Qadi walked around the pitch with just under half an hour to go until kick off, receiving cheers and chants of his name from the home support.

Al-Qadi has been involved in the club since February 2016 and this summer has backed Joey Barton with investment in to the first-team playing squad.

Another minutes applause for Anderton

The home fans erupted into applause on the 16th minute, showing their support once again for Rovers’ number 16, Nick Anderton.

This was the second game in a row that the home faithful made this gesture and it could become a regular feature to ensure their defender knows their admiration for him.

Oxford’s cynical challenges

In the first half, it was Steve Seddon and Cameron Brannagan, however Brannagan’s unnecessary foul brought on the free kick that gave the Gas their opener.

This was a common theme of the away side’s game, with Sam Finley also complaining to the ref of an apparent elbow when he was wiped out by Marcus Browne.

It was Elliot Moore’s turn with five to go in the first half, when he brought down John Marquis then looked to push his face into the ground, somehow not being shown a red card and having an early bath.

Belshaw says no!

With just a few seconds left of the first half, Cameron Brannagan tried his goal of the season contender with the midfielder shooting from his own half. The ball flew well wide of James Belshaw’s goal, prompting a finger wag from the shot stopper.

An embrace from Finley and Coutts

Sam Finley was replaced with 20 minutes to go, and club captain Paul Coutts made his first appearance back from suspension. The two were Rovers pairing in the promotion of last season and also played alongside each other for Fleetwood under Joey Barton and finley gave the captains armband back to Coutts, along with a big hug.

Applause for Bodin but Taylor’s dismal showing

Former Bristol City striker Taylor scored the last time the two teams met, in a FA Cup fixture in November. However the striker didn’t have the best of days in front of goal and was substituted in the 63rd minute, much to the joy of the home faithful who sarcastically cheered.

The other former Rovers player in the Oxford side was Billy Bodin, who starred for the Gas before being sold to Preston. The winger was brought off with just under 20 minutes to go and received an ovation from the home fans for their former talisman.

A change in shape

With ten to go, the Gas shifted into a back five, with Josh Grant making his return from injury and slotting in on the left side of the defence helping to close out the game. Ultimately the change was the tactical change needed to thwart any Oxford fight back.