Bristol Rovers player ratings after 'unlucky' 6.5/10 and seven 6/10s leave Gasheads deflated in Gillingham loss

Bristol Rovers run of four consecutive league defeats was extended to five after a 1-0 defeat at home against Gillingham. Max Clark’s goal, 10 minutes into the second half, was enough to even worsen Bristol Rovers home form as it now means the gas has suffered three successive home defeats to Mk Dons and Tranmere rovers in recent time. Coming off the back of a win in the FA cup away at Barrow, Darrell Clarke kept an unchanged side for this game hoping to stop the very poor recent league form.

Tom Lockyer was also seen by the Bristol Rovers home fans for the since his return to the club in October and was named as captain and received a rapturous reception pregame. After some brilliant remembrance weekend tributes, the game got underway and the gas started very well. The first chance of the game fell to Alfie Chang on the edge of the box however the Birmingham City loanee couldn’t keep his shot down and it sailed into the Brunel stand. Lockyer had his first chance of a goal back in Blue and White however his header from a set piece was also put over the bar and the score was kept level.

The next chance came just three minutes later, and it all stemmed from fantastic work down the right-hand side by Shaq Forde. The winger picked the ball up before putting Fabrizo Cavegn through with a beautiful threaded pass however the Swiss striker could only fire the ball into the side netting on the wrong side of the post. After that the visitors reminded the Gas that they were still a threat, when striker Josh Andrews picked the ball up and turned inside the Rovers box, but his shot went wide of Southwood’s post.

Then just after the hour mark, Gillingham had a corner that was comfortably cleared Rovers however referee Alan Young saw something that Tom Lockyer had done in the box and gave a spot kick. Full back Max Clarke stepped up to take the kick from 12 yards however it was an awful penalty and Luke Southwood easily saved and collected the rebound. That gave Rovers the spark that they needed, and they should’ve taken the lead themselves through Stephan Negru. The defender had stayed up after a set piece and a fantastic ball was played across the box yet again by Shaq Forde, but this time Negru sent it over the bar from point blank range.

The score went into half time 0-0 and it was Rovers who had the first chance of the second when Joel Cotterill took the ball and powered through the midfield and unleash a powerful shot at goal, but it just went wide. The gas was punished for these missed chances when Gillingham’s Max Clark atoned for his missed penalty with a screamer from outside the box. A cross found its way to him outside the box, and he unleashed a half volley that always looked destined to go wide but it curled perfectly into the top corner just at the last second.

Rovers looked to hit back instantly and nearly did via the right foot of Alfie Chang. The midfielder won the ball back on the edge of the box before having a curling effort at goal, but it just went the wrong side of the post. Gillingham’s goal prompted Rovers boss Darrell Clarke to make all five of his substitutions in quick time with Conteh, Thomas, Issaka, Sparkes and Dewsbury coming onto the pitch to provide fresh legs in the hopes to inspire a goal.

The gas had two massive chances in the seven minutes of additional time from a corner when from a corner Kamil Conteh rose the highest, but his header crashed off the crossbar and was cleared by the Gills defence. However, the clearance only found Freddie Issaka, but his low driven shot was cleared off the line. Despite all the puffing and pressure late on the game finished 0-1 to the visitors and It now leaves the Gas in 18th position in the league two table.

Next up Rovers have league one side Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy while their next league game is next Saturday with a trip to 20th place Accrington Stanley.

Rovers ratings

Luke Southwood (GK): Having shipped twelve goals in his previous three league matches, the Gas number one made a pivotal penalty save to deny the away side from an opening goal this afternoon meaning Darrell Clarke will certainly miss his presence in between the sticks as he joins Northern Ireland ahead of the international break. 7

Clinton Mola: Featuring in Rovers’ last home defeat, the defender would have been desperate to improve upon their defensive display’s this season in which he did well, making many crucial blocks, forcing the away side to earn their victory thanks to a wondergoal from Max Clark. 6.5

First home appearance

Tom Lockyer (C): Making his first home appearance since officially signing for the club last month, the former welsh international was awarded the captains armband for the second consecutive week, displaying leadership from the start but it was not enough to seal a much needed three points for The Gas. 6.5

Stephan Negru: The defender produced a solid first half performance, and should have even found the back of the net from an excellent Forde cross, which proved to be costly as his side failed to take any points from this afternoon’s clash. 6.5

Macauley Southam-Hales: Back in the starting lineup after a positive performance last weekend, the wingback had a fairly quiet afternoon, struggling to offer much going forward adding to the Gas’ creative issues in this game. 6

Bryant Bilongo: The midfielder offered a lot of legs and energy to Clarke’s side, but other than that, it was a pretty quiet afternoon for the 24 year old. 6

Alfie Chang: Finding the back of the net in Rovers’ last home defeat against Tranmere, the Birmingham City loanee offered his duties in the defensive department today in which he covered well, but perhaps left Gasheads wanting a little more going forward. 6

Joel Cotterill: Scoring the winning goal in last weekend’s FA Cup clash over Bromley, the welshman came close to finding glory again with a close attempt outside the box heading just wide. Even though the midfielder struggled to offer much danger with his set pieces, he still produced a fairly positive display. 6.5

Shaq Forde: Handed back to back starts for the first time this season, the 21 year old was one of Rovers’ most lively players in the first 45 minutes, delivering some dangerous crosses, and received a standing ovation from Gasheads having been taken off just before the 70th minute. 6.5

Ruel Sotiriou: A fantastic 90 minutes last week led to a starting opportunity today for the Cypriot international and after showing promise in the first half, the attacker was unable to find the back of the net later in the second half after a period of Gas dominance. 6

Fabrizio Cavegn: After finding his shooting boosts in last week’s FA Cup victory, the swiss forward found himself in some goalscoring opportunities which he couldn’t convert, handing the Gills with a first victory in eight matches. 6

Substitutes

Luke Thomas: Brought on to add another dimension ton Clarke’s attack, the former Barnsley man was unable to find the equalising goal that the Pirates were so desperately searching for. 6

Freddie Issaka: The attacker certainly boosted the home side’s attacking threat in the second half with his excellent pace and skill, even coming close to finding the net towards the latter of the 90 minutes. 6.5

Jack Sparkes: Returning after a one match suspension, the Gas defender offered a change in shape to add more of an attacking threat for the Pirates boss, but unfortunately couldn’t snatch a point from this match. 6

Ollie Dewsbury: The Pirates graduate offered much needed fresh legs to Clarke’s team and proved the Gas boss right in rewarding him valuable game time. 6.5

Kamil Conteh: The midfielder came extremely close in salvaging a point from this afternoon’s match after hitting the bar in the dying moments of the match, overall introducing a huge attacking poise late in the match. 6.5