Bristol Rovers player ratings as ‘brilliant' 10/10 and 5 7/10s see Gasheads ecstatic in 4-0 Cheltenham win

Steve Evans joined the Gas party in the Thatchers End with GasHeads in Rovers’ final game of the season in BS7, with an incredible 4-0 victory over Cheltenham Town thanks to an immense Ellis Harrison performance, who took home the match ball this afternoon, and a final fourth from Shaq Forde.

Bristol Rovers returned to the Memorial Stadium for the latest instalment of the West Country derby, chasing an eighth consecutive Sky Bet League Two victory as they hosted Cheltenham Town in their final home game of the 2025/26 season.

Evans joined the celebrations in the Thatchers End with Gasheads as Bristol Rovers signed off their home campaign in style, dismantling Cheltenham Town 4-0 in a dominant West Country derby display. Ellis Harrison was the star of the show, taking home the match ball with a superb hat-trick, before Shaq Forde added a late fourth to cap off a memorable afternoon in BS7.

Bristol Rovers returned to the Memorial Stadium chasing an eighth consecutive Sky Bet League Two victory, and they arrived in formidable form after last weekend’s dramatic 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers. That momentum carried seamlessly into this contest.

Standing in their way were a Cheltenham side under former Rovers boss Steve Cotterill, who had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks but struggled to cope with the hosts’ intensity throughout. Evans made five changes from the win at Tranmere, with Promise Omochere rewarded with a start after his impact off the bench, but it was another familiar face who stole the headlines.

Rovers could not have asked for a better start. Inside the opening minute, Jack Sparkes delivered a pinpoint corner which was met by Harrison, who rose highest to power a header into the far corner and spark wild celebrations among the home support.

Buoyed by the early goal, the Gas continued to press. Harrison nearly doubled his tally soon after, latching onto a loose opportunity on the left, but former Rovers goalkeeper Joe Day was alert to gather.

However, Day was left helpless moments later as Harrison struck again. A looping delivery into the box was confused, and the forward showed great awareness to flick the ball goalwards, leaving the goalkeeper rooted as it found the net.

The striker completed his hat-trick early in the second half in spectacular fashion. A poor goal kick from Cheltenham gifted Harrison possession, and spotting Day off his line, he produced a stunning 35-yard lob that dropped perfectly into the net to make it 3-0.

Rovers remained in control and continued to threaten, and their dominance was eventually rewarded again just before the final whistle. Forde found space at the back post and calmly guided a left-footed finish into the far corner, wheeling away in celebration in front of the Thatchers End alongside his manager.

At full time, a thunderous ovation greeted the players as Rovers sealed a comprehensive victory, rounding off their final home game of the season in emphatic fashion and extending their remarkable run of form under Evans.

Player ratings

Brad Young: One save across the 90 minutes should emphasise how comfortable this was for Young. Had very little to do and did what he had to very well. He's been crucial in the brilliant form of the Gas after taking over the starting job from Luke Southwood. 6

Joel Senior: A performance very similar to Sparkes, defensively wise, as the formation meant that Senior had to focus on his defensive duty rather than overlapping Akhamrich. Just like the rest of the defenders, Senior kept what can be a dangerous Cheltenham to nothing going forward. 6.5

Kofi Balmer: The Northern Irish man had very, very little to do today. With Cheltenham very keen on playing down the wing, it meant that Harbottle had to primarily mark Josh Davison, to which he did well, and the Cheltenham striker didn't have a sniff today. 7

Riley Harbottle: The back four didn't have much to do today, with a poor Cheltenham attack not creating a lot. The long throw-in of Harbottle, who was the stand-in captain today, was crucial for the second goal. 6.5

Jack Sparkes: Got into the game straightaway with a fantastic cross that set up Rovers' first goal from a first-minute corner. Apart from that, Sparkes wasn't really into the game. With the formation that Rovers were playing, it meant that Sparkes’s defensive cover was really needed to help keep the shape, which he did well. 7

Clinton Mola: After a two-game rest, to just rest some injuries after a long period of starting in the team in the centre of midfield. Mola was solid today, partnered with Smallwood and it's clear that the two of them have a really solid partnership. Mola’s development this season, from starting as a left back who fans might not have been keen to see on the pitch to one of the first names on the teamsheet in midfield, is a stunning turnaround and full credit to himself and the Rovers staff. 7

Richie Smallwood: Eyebrows were raised on deadline day when Rovers made the decision to bring the experienced midfielder in on loan, but Smallwood has been an immense signing, improving things both on the pitch and off it as well. Evans famously said a couple of months ago that Smallwood would two-foot his own grandmother to win a 50/50 ball and Smallwood continu to back that statement up. 7

Shaq Forde: An up-and-down season today, ending in the highest possible way for Forde, as his goal ended things at the memorial this season. Evans has been filled with praise and good comments about Forde since he arrived, and the moment after Forde’s goal was a special moment with all the3 players going over to the Thatchers' end to embrace their manager, who was already in with the gas fans. 7.5

Yusuf Akhamrich: On his final appearance as a gas player at the Mem, Akhamrich looked to go out with a bang; however, time with the ball in and around the box was limited, and despite some good flicks and skills around the rest of the pitch, Akhamrich couldn't bow out of the Mem with a goal. 6.5

Promise Omochere: A difficult afternoon for Omochere today. Started on the left wing, and while he was played into good areas down the wing, he failed to do anything with it, and he didn't have many sniffs of goal, and his threat sort of petered out as the game went on and on. 6

Hat-trick Brilliance

Ellis Harrison: Not much needs to be said about the striker’s performance today as Harrison bagged a hat-trick to hand Rovers the win. The first came within the first two minutes, as he got a brilliant header onto the end of Sparkes' pinpoint cross to give Rovers the lead. His second came from a recycled set piece, and he rose highest to head into the top corner just before half-time. His third, however, was the best of the lot as his 35-yard chip beat Joe Day in the Cheltenham Town goal. 10

Substitutions:

Tom Lockyer: More than likely the last time that Bristol Rovers fans will see the experienced defender in a home shirt at the Mem, and a lovely moment was had after the game when Lockyer was presented with his legacy cap. 6

Tommy Leigh: Came on and decided to pick an immediate fight with former Bristol Rovers player and current Cheltenham Town captain James Wilson, which gasheads loved and got fired up for. 6.5

Joe Quigley: The big man made his aerial presence known immediately and showed how he offers something different to any other Rovers striker as one of the best heading-the-ball strikers in the division. 7

Mees Rijks: Fresh off his first goal for the club against Crawley in the last home game, Rijks just didn't have enough time today to have an impact, the game was already won and done. 6

Ryan De Haviland: The midfielder came on with five minutes to go but didn't have enough to make an impact on the game. 6