Leyton Orient 0-2 Bristol Rovers: Player ratings, MOTM, heroes & villains as Evans and Collins strike

Bristol Rovers claimed their third win in a row as they came away from Brisbane Road with a 2-0 win against Leyton Orient.

Antony Evans and Aaron Collins both scored in a three-minute spell in the first half to give the Gas victory on the road, recording their fourth clean sheet in a row.

Joey Barton’s men moved up to ninth with the win and are now three points off a play-off spot, though seventh placed Mansfield Town have a game in hand.

Tale of the game

Rovers had initially been unchanged for a third game in a row but at the eleventh hour, Antony Evans replaced Nick Anderton with Harry Anderson moving to full-back.

There were no early signs of a disruption to Rovers’ game with the away side playing the better football of the two.

Evans almost made a goal-scoring return to the side with a direct free-kick hitting the post and bouncing the opposite side of the goal.

Orient’s defence struggled to deal with the attacking threat of Rovers and both Shadrach Ogie and Omar Beckles were booked for fouls on Evans and Aaron Collins.

The away side’s own back line had to be alert though as there were claims for a penalty when Luca Hoole challenged Ruel Sotiriou in the box but after falling down, a penalty wasn’t awarded.

The tide slowly turned into the favour of the hosts and James Belshaw had to rush to the feet of Aaron Drinan who tried to tuck it past him. In the same attack Ruel Sotiriou put a volley over the bar but they were growing in confidence.

Sotiriou caused a number of problems for Rovers and was continuously given space to attack but was first denied by James Connolly before rolling a shot past the post.

Despite all their attacking endeavour, Evans put a sting in the tail of the O’s by opening the scoring against the run of play. Evans from 25-yards out smacked a shot in.

A second goal then followed two minutes later for Rovers as they went from being on the ropes to taking a two goal lead. Sam Nicholson forced Lawrence Vigouroux into a save and the Orient keeper could only palm it to Collins who tapped home from two-yards out.

The two goals took the wind out of the home team’s sails and they were unable to issue a response for the remainder of the first-half with the team booed off by their supporters.

It was a non-eventful first quarter in the opening of the second period but there was an enforced substitute with Elliot Anderson hobbling off for Ryan Loft.

The game did liven up a bit and there were appeals for a penalty with substitute Harry Smith going down in the box after colliding with Luca Hoole, but the referee was adamant to not award a spot kick.

Moments later, Smith should have pulled one back as Theo Archibald found the front-man but from yards out he missed the target with the goal gaping.

The six foot five front-man’s introduction gave Orient something different going forward and he was denied a goal after Belshaw expertly saved at point-blank range in the last five minutes.

Despite six minutes of additional time shown, Rovers were unchallenged throughout injury time and were able to see out the match in a professional manner.

Heroes

Antony Evans: Credit to Antony Evans, he wasn’t initially due to start but came in at the last minute for Anderton and did well out on the flanks. It’s interesting that he was pushed out wide whilst Elliot Anderson remained in the middle and that may be how the team is going forward.

His goal was right out of the top drawer, giving Vigouroux no chance from a considerable distance.

He has an eye for a good pass but also possesses the same vision for a shooting opportunity and could have had more goals.

Aaron Collins: Another game, another goal for the Welshman. There was a time where he couldn’t buy a goal and now he’s getting on the score sheet every other game. He showed a real striker’s instinct to get on the end of Nicholson’s parried shot for his goal.

As well as getting another strike to his name, he has to be admired for his off-the-ball work. He drifts out to the flank and puts the pressure on to the defenders.

Travelling support: Almost 1000 fans made the trip to the capital, not bad given it’s the fourth tier of English football. Alright the buses put on were free and paid for by owner Wael al-Qadi but that just shows where the club is right now where both are singing from the same hymn sheet.

At the end of the match, you could audibly hear ‘Joey Barton’s Barmy Army’ with the manager and his players showing their appreciation to the adoring fans.

Villains

Ruel Sotiriou: A few good chances to score for Leyton Orient but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

He was eventually replaced by Frank Nouble in the last ten minutes of the match in what looked like an injury.

Orient’s discipline: It wasn’t a dirty game by any means but the yellow cards the hosts team picked up could have been avoided. In the first half they would make cheap fouls by pushing Rovers players to the ground.

Over the course of the season, the cards stack up and sometimes you end up missing some key games through suspension.

Player ratings

Leyton Orient (3-5-2): Lawrence Vigouroux 6, George Ray 6, Omar Beckles 6, Shadrach Ogie 7, Otis Khan 7, Matt Young 6 (Callum Riley, 6;46), Darren Pratley 6, Ethan Coleman 7, Theo Archibald 6, Ruel Sotiriou 5 (Frank Nouble 6; 80), Aaron Drinan 6 (Harry Smith, 6;66).

Yellow Cards: Shadrach Ogie 8, Omar Beckles 13, Darren Pratley 38, Otis Kahn 93’

Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw 7, Luca Hoole 6, James Connolly 7, Connor Taylor 7; Harry Anderson 7; Sam Finley 8, Paul Coutts 7 (Glenn Whelan, 6;58); Elliot Anderson 6 (Ryan Loft 6;58), Antony Evans 9, Sam Nicholson 7 (Leon Clarke, 6;74); Aaron Collins 8.

Yellow Cards: Antony Evans 27, Glenn Whelan 75, Ryan Loft 82’

Man of the Match

A welcome return to the side for Antony Evans, who made an influence in the match from the flank, as well as drifting in to the centre at times.

What’s next?

After two consecutive away games, Bristol Rovers are back amongst their fans at the Memorial Stadium as they host Exeter City.

For Leyton Orient, they have another home match, this time against Carlisle United.