SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday November 13th, 3.00pm
Memorial Stadium
BRISTOL ROVERS 2
Josh Grant 54
Anthony Evans 59
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 39 pen
Attendance: 6,884
Bristol Rovers: James Belshaw, Josh Grant (sub Nick Anderton 64), Alfie Kilgour, Sam Finley, Sam Nicholson (sub Aaron Collins 89), Paul Coutts, Connor Taylor, Harry Anderson, Anthony Evans (sub Luke Thomas 70), Cian Harries, Glenn Whelan
Subs not used: Jed Ward, Zain Westbrooke, Pablo Martinez, Sion Spence
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Dominic Revan (sub Michael Harriman 77), Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Shaun McWilliams, Jordan Flores (sub Nicke Kabamba 75), Sam Hoskins, Paul Lewis, Mitch Pinnock (sub Dylan Connolly 76), Kion Etete
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Scott Pollock, Aaron McGowan, Danny Rose
Referee: Sam Allison
Booked:
Bristol Rovers: Glenn Whelan (26), Cian Harries (49), Harry Anderson (74)
Cobblers: Sam Hoskins (74, 6th of the season), Liam Roberts (90, 1st)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Bristol Rovers: Glenn Whelan (67)
Cobblers: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
After a two week break from the league, Northampton Town made the trip to Bristol Rovers looking to continue their impressive run of form. Jack Sowerby was unavailable for selection after picking up a knock with Jordan Flores coming into the starting eleven. Aaron McGowan, back from injury, was named on the bench.
Anthony Evans spurned an early chance for Rovers and Kion Etete was denied at point blank range by James Belshaw in a helter-skelter opening few minutes. The game then settled down somewhat before Fraser Horsfall almost diverted the ball into his own net after making a vital interception.
Josh Grant looked set to open the scoring when he was played through but his effort came back off the post. It was a let off for the Cobblers and they soon took advantage from the penalty spot, Sam Hoskins sending Belshaw the wrong way after Connor Taylor brought down Paul Lewis in the area.
Bristol Rovers were back on level terms on 54 minutes when Josh Grant headed home Harry Anderson’s cross and the home side then soon took the lead, Anthony Evans slotting the ball past Liam Roberts.
Glenn Whelan was sent off midway through the second half after a foul on Mitch Pinnock saw the experienced midfielder shown a second yellow card of the afternoon.
Nicke Kabamba, Dylan Connolly and Michael Harriman came on in a triple change for the Cobblers, replacing Flores, Pinnock and Dominic Revan.
As the game moved into eight minutes of stoppage time Ali Koiki and Shaun McWilliams combined to set up a chance for Connolly but he couldn’t find the target and Rovers held out, Horsfall seeing a header cleared off the line in the last action of the game.
BRISTOL ROVERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (2) 5
FOULS: (5) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (5) 6
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (8) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 3