Bristol Rovers player ratings: ‘Heroic, brilliant’ - Two stars score 8/10 vs Barnsley

Bristol Rovers battled to a well earned point as they held promotion chasers Barnsley to a draw at the Memorial Stadium.
Bristol Rovers ground out a point against Barnsley at the Memorial Stadium. (Image: Will Tayl Bristol Rovers ground out a point against Barnsley at the Memorial Stadium. (Image: Will Tayl
Bristol Rovers ground out a point against Barnsley at the Memorial Stadium. (Image: Will Tayl

Bristol Rovers battled to a deserved point as they held promotion-chasing Barnsley to a goalless draw at the Memorial Stadium.

It was a cagey affair inside the Memorial Stadium for the early stages, a succession of fouls never allowing the game to get going with Sam Finley and John Marquis picking up bookings early on.

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The first chance of the game went to the Gas, after Lewis Gordon and Aaron Collins combined well to win their side a corner. Finley swung the ball in and met the head of Jarell Quansah, however the Liverpool loanee’s header was tame and straight into the arms of Harry Isted.

It was Finley the playmaker once more on the counter, he spun well on the right and played a delicious ball over to Scott Sinclair who had space on the right, who sliced his shot past the post.

Rovers were the better side for the majority of the first half, however the visitors should’ve been ahead at the break if not for James Belshaw’s heroics, with the shot-stopper denying Herbie Kane and Bobby Thomas in quick succession just before the break.

Quansah had another opportunity from a set-piece shortly after the break, but his unmarked volley from Finley’s free-kick was straight at Isted.

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Belshaw saved well again minutes later, getting a crucial hand to a Nicky Cadden cross that looked destined for the head of Devante Cole.

The Gas defended well with the away side pushing for a winner late on, and were good value for a point with the game ending goalless.

James Belshaw - 8

Two great saves at the end of the first half kept the scores equal, with chants of the 32-year-old’s name ringing round the Memorial Stadium in his first home start since New Years Day.

Lewis Gordon - 7

Defended well and offered an option going forward.

Jarell Quansah - 7

Quansah was dominant aerially in his own box, however failed to have that same impact in Barnsley’s - missing two guilt edged chances to get his first goal in professional football and give his side the lead.

Lewis Gibson - 7

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An assured performance at the back from the Everton loanee, with his side looking much better defensively since the centre-back’s return from injury.

Luca Hoole - 7

The Welshman linked up well with Scott Sinclair down the right, offering an overlap with his side in the ascendancy and defended well.

Sam Finley - 7

A bright spark for his side throughout, despite almost putting the ball into his own net trying to deflect a Jordan Williams cross.

Grant Ward - 7

A good overall display from the January signing, regularly bringing the ball forward from deep and battling well in a hectic midfield.

Lamare Bogarde - 7

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Bogarde looked wise beyond his years in the midfield , with smooth touches and turns buying himself time and space against a fast pressing Barnsley side.

Aaron Collins - 6 (Ryan Loft 88’)

Tried to bring the ball forward and get involved in play, yet was kept quiet for the most by the Barnsley defence.

John Marquis - 8 (Josh Coburn 82’)

The striker held the ball up brilliantly throughout, bringing his teammates into the game and getting his side up the pitch.

Scott Sinclair - 6 (James Gibbons 88’)

A quiet game of all counts for Sinclair, with his sliced shot in the first half the only moment of significance for the former Celtic man.

Substitutes:

Josh Coburn: N/A

James Gibbons: N/A

Ryan Loft: N/A

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