Joey Barton’s party trick and Brandon Hanlan embrace in Bristol Rovers loss to Wycombe

Defeat for the Gas at Adams Park - with plenty happening on and off the pitch
Bristol Rovers manager Joe Barton     Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesBristol Rovers manager Joe Barton     Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Bristol Rovers manager Joe Barton Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Bristol Rovers’ unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers. The Gas took the lead through Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn but David Wheeler responded with an equaliser and Lewis Wing scored in the second half to overturn the deficit.

It was the first time in six matches that Rovers had tasted defeat and made for a slight dent in their hopes for a playoff spot. Wycombe strengthened their position, but Rovers are not of it.

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It was a game of two halves for Joey Barton’s side with the manager seeing his side take an early lead in what was a good first-half performance. His side never got going in the second half and subsequently saw the home side net the winner just minutes after halftime. Nevertheless, here’s some moments you might have missed from the defeat.

Yellow and green quarters

The match officials deemed the Gas’ home and away kits too similar to Wycombe’s and therefore Rovers were forced to bring back the yellow and green quarters of last season.

Last worn in the 4-3 win over Rochdale in the second to last game of the season when Rovers famously went from 3-1 behind to 4-3 winners, the kit didn’t bring such luck this time around.

Barton’s still got it

Chants of “Sign him up!” were heard from the away end mid-way through the first half when the Rovers boss showed some of his players how to do it, controlling the ball brilliantly, flicking it off his chest after a clearance from James Belshaw headed towards the dugout.

Hanlan and Barton’s halftime embrace

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Ex-Rovers striker Brandon Hanlan was named on the Wanderers bench, completing a move to the away side from the Gas in August last year.

Joey Barton was open in the fact that he wanted to keep Hanlan at the club, however, made his feelings clear to the striker, giving him a big hug as Hanlan made his way out of the tunnel for the second half.

The strong away following for the Gas were less happy to see him, with boos are jeers coming from the away end when Hanlan was brought onto the pitch going into injury time.

Cheating & Moaning chants from the fans

Wycombe were in no rush to get the game started again throughout the second half, which the Rovers fans and Joey Barton were not happy about. Some questionable decisions from the referee led to chants of “Same old Wycombe, always cheating.”

The home fans also got involved, with chants of “same old Rovers, always moaning” in return.

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