Bristol Rovers 3-1 Barnsley
Sky Bet League One, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday 18 January 2025
Goals by Gatlin O’Donkor, Isaac Hutchinson and Ruel Sotiriou secured an impressive 3-1 win for Bristol Rovers against Barnsley.
O’Donkor’s well-taken header at the end of the first half, from Grant Ward’s cross, put the Gas in front after a string of incredible saves by Josh Griffiths to keep the Tykes at bay.
James Wilson set up Hutchinson for the second seven minutes into the second half, although Barnsley eventually found a way onto the score-sheet through Josh Earl’s finish to half the deficit.
Rovers pushed on though and got a third when Wilson again got forward, again providing the assist as substitute Sotiriou netted to secure back-to-back league wins for Iñigo Calderón’s Pirates.
Barnsley’s visit to The Memorial Stadium came on the back of four successive league victories and, as such, Darrell Clarke’s side started stronger and with more confidence.
Griffiths was called into action early for the hosts, getting across the face of goal quickly to deny Davis Keillor-Dunn, before Georgie Gent pulled an effort wide for the away side.
Rovers’ first effort of the game came via a quick breakaway but captain Sinclair could only pull his shot badly wide.
Barnsley continued to press and push for the opener and put the ball in the net on 17 minutes, only for Luca Connell’s volleyed finish to be ruled out for an offside player interfering with play.
The hosts’ first effort of note sparked The Mem into life moments later. Hutchinson forced Ben Killip into an impressive stop from 25 yards. Another glimpse of the quality Rovers had when they could get into the dangerous positions.
Again though, the Tykes looked more likely to open the scoring. An eye-catching counter-attack was near perfect for the away team, but Griffiths was equal to Keillor-Dunn’s attempt, and the Pirates No1 stopped Max Watters with a simply sensational one-on-one save just a minute after.
Having dug in, it was the Gas’ turn to go on the attack as the first half drew to a close. Sinclair and O’Donkor both had well-worked efforts saved from narrow angles, before the former then tried his luck with an audacious chip; one that ricocheted off the cross-bar.
From the follow up came first blood. Midfielder Ward claimed possession and recycled in a pinpoint cross. O’Donkor was in the right spot to guide his header past Killip, giving Rovers the half-time lead.
The Tykes came out swinging to start the second half but, with the confidence rising in the home team, a second goal would fall Rovers’ way.
Centre-back Wilson drove up the pitch and, capitalising on a lapse in the Barnsley defence, was played through one-on-one with Killip. The defender’s strike was saved but the No5 showed great composure to collect the rebound and square for Hutchinson, who tucked home in front of Thatchers’ end.
Rovers were flying and, with two goals to their name, a third was almost found as Luke Thomas struck a curling effort from outside the area. Killip had to stretch fully to deny the No11.
At the other end, Adam Phillips volleyed an effort on target which, again, Griffiths made a top save to deny.
For all of Rovers’ defensive hard work, Barnsley pulled a goal back on 67 minutes. A clipped free-kick was met by Earl, who guided the ball into the far corner with a well-placed header.
The halved deficit led to some nerves around The Memorial Stadium but Inigo Calderon’s team continued to push, none more so than Wilson.
The centre-made another gut-bursting run which led to Rovers’ third goal, with Wilson squaring for substitute Sotiriou to poke in his first home goal since joining the Gas. Three goals scored and three points secured.
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Sousa, Moore, Wilson, Sinclair © (Martin 71), Ward, Thomas (Lindsay 87), Sawyers (Senior 87), Taylor, Hutchinson (Sotiriou 71), O’Donkor (Mola 76)
Subs not used: Hall (GK), Forde,
Goals: O’Donkor 41, Hutchinson 52, Sotiriou 85
Booked: Wilson,
Barnsley: Killip, Russell, Roberts, De Gevigney, O’Keeffe (Lofthouse 79), Phillips, Gent (Farrugia 55), Earl, Watters (Cosgrove 79), Keillor-Dunn (Humphrys 46), Connell © (Nwakali 55)
Subs not used: Pines, Cosgrove, McCarthy,
Goal: Earl 67,
Referee: Martin Woods
Attendance: 7,638
