Bristol Rovers 1-0 Barrow: Player ratings, MOTM, heroes & villains as Evans thunderbolt beats Bluebirds

Bristol Rovers claimed a hard-fought victory over ten-man Barrow to continue their good run of form in League Two. 

Anthony Evans scored with a thunderbolt of an effort in the last ten minutes of the match to beat the Bluebirds who had played without a man for an hour after Niall Canavan’s dismissal. 

The Gas are two points off of seventh-placed Mansfield Town who hold the final play-off spot, though the Stags have two games in hand.

Tale of the game

In the opening few stages of the game, Rovers showed some early nerves.

Ollie Banks hit a first time effort after a free-kick wasn’t cleared and James Belshaw had to palm it away.

Harry Anderson had the first chance for Rovers as he broke through down the left hand flank but Paul Farman blocked well with his legs. Ten minutes later, he had another good opportunity but his dragged shot on the edge of the box glanced just wide of the goal.

In a hopeful ball played over the top, Niall Canavan pulled back Leon Clarke and after a slight pause, the referee sent him off. From the resulting set piece on the edge of the box, Antony Evans blasted the free-kick over the bar.

After twisting and turning the Barrow defender, a cross-cum shot from Harry Anderson hit the post and then Farman saved Evans’ rebounded shot with the home side firmly on top.

There weren’t many clear-cut opportunities for Rovers but from the wide play, crosses were almost ending in the net as Sam Nicholson forced Farman to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Despite all the possession, pressure and the numerical advantage, the hosts were unable to break down the away side’s rearguard for the remainder of the first half.

Barrow set up to frustrate Rovers and turned to the arts of time wasting as well as overstating the severity of an injury. A rare opportunity presented itself to Robbie Gotts and his shot was saved by Belshaw.

Frustrated by their lack of action in front of goal, both Aaron Collins and Ryan Loft were both introduced for Nick Anderton and Elliot Anderson in an attacking move by the home manager.

In an agonising moment, Collins opted to put a cross which just glanced the head of Clarke, in the same attack after recovering the ball, he forced Furman into action with a laced effort.

Just as Rovers felt like it may have been one of those days, they chanced their arm and took the lead in fine fashion. Catching hold of the ball from 25-yards out, Evans’ let fly a trademark shot that Furman couldn’t reach.

Barrow sought an immediate response and Banks from a similar distance to Evans’ goal hit a low free-kick that bobbled just past Belshaw’s post. Another shot then came in from Josh Gordon and he needed to be alert to the wind.

As the game moved closely into stoppage time, Belshaw came to his side’s rescue as Banks, lurking free at the far post, made a superb save. After watching the ball cannon off the post, he denied Banks once more, ultimately securing the victory.

Heroes

Harry Anderson: After playing the past two games at left-back, Anderson was in his more natural role as a left-sided winger and he had some joy down the flank in the first half. During the first 45, he was without a doubt their best attacking threat and had two good opportunities to score.

Antony Evans: The midfielder wasn’t having the best of games having been booked for a foul, as well as some poor set-piece deliveries but in a moment of magic, he delivered. He easily could have been substituted but he was kept on the pitch and rewarded his side with a glorious strike which led to their victory.

James Belshaw: Another clean sheet and thoroughly deserved. He’s a different breed of a goalkeeper and loves to come out to challenge the attacker’s feet. After his side took the lead, he made two crucial saves to preserve the victory.

Villains

Niall Canavan: For a second game in a row, Barrow were reduced to ten men and this was a sending off that could have been avoided. A ball over the top didn’t look to cause too much of a problem for Barrow but Canavan pulled back Clarke and was sent off.

That was their fourth dismissal of the season and there was a bit of ruggedness in Barrow’s style of play.

Barrow’s time wasters: There were a good few of them, but the likes of captain Ollie Banks and their goalkeeper Paul Farman knew how to play the game when they went down a man.When they made substitutes, they’d take a slow jog across the pitch and would have to be hurried up by the fourth official and the referee.

They did what any team with a man would do and that was try to ride their luck with a man light. It was ironic though that when they fell behind, their third and final sub was quickly brought on to the pitch.

Ollie Banks: He was on the losing side but the midfielder along with Paul Farman were by far their best performers. Banks had the best opportunity for his team and had a good game plan until Evans’ goal.

Player ratings

Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw 8, Luca Hoole, James Connolly 6, Connor Taylor 7, Nick Anderton 6 (Aaron Collins, 58;6), Antony Evans 8, Glenn Whelan 7, Sam Nicholson 7, Elliot Anderson 6 (Ryan Loft, 70;6), Harry Anderson 7, Leon Clarke 6 (Harvey Saunders, 78;6).

Barrow (3-4-2-1): Paul Farman 7, James Jones 7, Niall Canavan 5, Patrick Brough 6; Jason Taylor 6, Oliver Banks 7, Tom White 6 (Josh Gordon, 62), Antony Driscoll-Glennon 6, (Matthew Platt, 83;6), Robbie Gotts 6, John Rooney 6, Will Harris 5, (Remeao Hutton, 69;6)

Man of the Match

Harry Anderson. A good attacking display in the first half and then he slotted in well at left-back.

What’s next?

It’s a trip across the Severn Bridge for Bristol Rovers’ next match as they face promotion rivals Newport County at Rodney Parade.

Barrow are back at Holker Street to take on relegation foes Walsall in a bottom-of-the-table clash.