Bristol Rovers fell to their second 2-0 defeat away from home within the space of four days as they were beaten by Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday night after conceding two first half goals.
Rovers saw most of the ball in the opening stages but couldn’t convert that possession into chances and eventually fell behind after 13 minutes as Matty Godden produced an instinctive finish in the penalty area.
From that point, the Gas struggled and relied upon goalkeeper Josh Griffiths to keep them in the game until Josh Edwards fired home a good finish to hand the Addicks breathing space.
A triple substitutition early in the second half, after the booked Clinton Mola had been replaced by Lino Sousa at half-time, sparked a bit of life back into Inigo Calderon’s side. However, they still required further saves from Griffiths to keep the score at 2-0 after failing to produce a shot on target of their own.
Ultimately, it was another poor night for the Gas. Here’s how we rated the players…
Josh Griffiths – 7
Have lost count at the amount of times the goalkeeper has either gotten Bristol Rovers out of jail or helped keep a scoreline down. Unfortunately, it was still the latter but without some of the West Brom loanees heroics in the first half, Rovers could have easily gone into the break behind by an even bigger deficit than two goals.
Taylor Moore – 6
Up for debate but certainly the best performing Rovers defender on a tough night. A decent number of tackles and interceptions and made himself available in attack where he could.
James Wilson – 5
Bailed Rovers out a couple of times while also losing out in duels you’d expect the centre-back to win. Mixed display and capable of much better.
Connor Taylor – 5
Redeemed himself in the second half for a poor first. Guilty for some extremely cheap giveaways but came out of the dressing room at half-time more solid. Still, we all know he’s capable of significantly better.
Clinton Mola (off for Lino Sousa 46′) – 4.5
In fairness, the defender wasn’t the only player who could’ve been withdrawn at half-time but he had been booked early in the game. After struggling for minutes under Inigo Calderon, the left-back was given an opportunity to impress but it just wasn’t taken. His recent form has been particularly frustrating because he’s shown that he has the quality based on the first few months of his Rovers career.
Jamie Lindsay (off for Romaine Sawyers 57′) – 5
Had some okay link-up moments getting Rovers on their way up the pitch but off the ball the midfielder had a difficult night.
Grant Ward (off for Isaac Hutchinson 57′) – 5.5
Similar story to Lindsay really. Has certainly had much better games in the middle of the park lately. Has played a lot of football lately so the relatively early withdrawal was probably the right call.
Shaq Forde – 6
Possibly slightly generous but the winger showed his individual quality with the ball and also regaining it but just couldn’t convert that into end product. Always looked a threat which can’t be said of his recent performances when starting.
Ruel Sotiriou (off for Luke Thomas 77′) – 5
Can’t fault his desire to get things going for Rovers in attack but it just didn’t fall for him.
Scott Sinclair (off for Gatlin O’Donkor 57′) – 6
Looked one of few threats in the final third once Rovers breached the 25-yard radious of Charlton’s goal. Responsible for their first shot on target with a dcent free-kick effort that needed to be saved.
Chris Martin – 6
Felt for the striker. Also another score that might seem quite generous but he did his part for the team. Was happy to drop deep and hold the ball up as well as link up with his teammates before getting himself in the penalty area. However, that quality service just never came. You could visibly see his frustration at times and he had every right.
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Substitutes:
Lino Sousa (on 46′) – 5
Tough introduction as Thierry Small completely beat the Aston Villa loanee for pace but he adapted.
Isaac Hutchinson (on 57′) – 6
Tried to pull the strings where he could. Not quite sure why he didn’t just have a crack at goal.
Romaine Sawyers (on 57′) – 5.5
Tidied up in the middle a couple of times.
Gatlin O’Donkor (on 57′) – 6.5
Offered a much-needed burst of energy. Just didn’t get the desired opportunity.
Luke Thomas (on 77′) – N/A
Came on late.