Bristol Rovers’ ability to bounce back from defeats looked in jeopardy when Bradford City took the lead 30 seconds after half-time, but two goals in a dominant second half saw the Gas get their promotion charge back on track and keep their unbeaten streak at the Mem intact.
Following each of their three defeats in 2022, the latest coming against Carlisle United last Saturday, Joey Barton’s side have always responded superbly back on home soil in the following game. Although that record was placed in doubt when Dion Periera gave Mark Hughes’ side a shock lead after he broke into the penalty area and finished clinically past James Belshaw.
Bradford had been second best in the first-half but the Gas were wasteful in front of goal registering 15 shots, none of which were on target. However, that was changed when Sam Finley placed a fine long-distance strike into the roof of the net 11 minutes later to equalise.
Clear-cut chances went begging for Rovers throughout the second 45 but Connor Taylor provided the important touch, poking home Paul Coutts’ free kick 15 minutes from time to secure the three points and move the Pirates up to fifth on 66 points, a tally shared by three other teams in the hunt for promotion. Here are a few moments you may have missed:
Cowley in attendance (again)
In the first-half of the season, Harry Anderson’s versatile qualities were perhaps not totally appreciated by Gasheads, but since the upheaval of form and results for the Gas he has shone in a Rovers shirt and a man who holds him in very high regard was spotted at the Mem at the weekend.
Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley was seated just to the right of the press box and he would have certainly enjoyed the performance of the man he signed at Lincoln in 2017.
Anderson put in a trademark performance on Saturday, constantly being a willing runner and pressing relentlessly from the front before he was moved to left back for the final 20 minutes.
The 25-year-old made 205 appearances across four seasons helping Lincoln achieve back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One and the former Imps boss has pulled no punches over his strong relationship with Anderson.
This was not Cowley first visit to the Mem this season as he was spotted during the 2-0 win over Sutton back in January, revealing a few months ago he would be visiting several League Two and National League grounds in search of gems that he could bring to Fratton Park.
And with Pompey not in League One action, Cowley took the opportunity to visit North Bristol again, whether it was to watch one of his old players in action or perhaps a scouting mission ahead of the summer window, is unknown.
Barton’s emotional afternoon
In a high-octane game that went right down to the wire, Joey Barton was a sight to behold on the touchline with the Gas boss displaying a wide range of emotions.
Anticipation had built in the build up to this game with Bradford boss Mark Hughes and Barton having no shortage of history although their interactions on Saturday were limited with handshakes either side of the 90 minutes and a brief tap on the chest from Barton to Hughes before the game.
However, that was the calmest Barton would be in a frantic 90 minutes. The Bantams were barley in the game in the first half and were certainly guilty of giving away a large number of free kicks in the first half.
The most notable dual in this came between Elliot Watt and Elliot Anderson with the latter hurled down several times in the opening 45 minutes, a particular moment coming just shy of the half-hour mark when the Bradford midfield fouled his opposite number twice in the space of a few minutes, sending Barton into raptures on the touchline as he threw up his arms in disbelief that Watt escaped a booking.
In the second-half he showed compassion to Trevor Clarke who seemed disappointed in his performance, but it was Barton who consoled him resting a hand on the back his head and welcoming him in for a hug while offering some words of solace in his ear.
Barton saved his most exuberant emotion for the final whistle as he marched over to the Thatchers terrace and undertook his now customary three first pumps after a win before individually hugging each mascot that was stood at the edge of the pitch before departing down the tunnel.
Belshaw’s ever-improving qualities
James Belshaw providing several match-winning saves and his general likeability as a person has made him highly cherished by Gasheads, but with Rovers less-reliant for the most part on his clutch saves, his quality to the team with a particular skill he has developed over the season has perhaps gone under the radar.
Over the campaign, the distribution and composure of the Rovers number one has greatly improved. It was quite evident in the opening gambit of the season how good a shot-stopper he was but now his eagerness to play out from the back and eye for a pass to build attacks from the back is extremely useful for the Gas.
On Saturday, while being harried by Jamie Walker, Belshaw sent a precise and driven pass into the stride of Luca Hoole allowing the right-back to advance without losing any momentum.
A few minutes later as he was being hunted down by Andy Cook on the right of his box, he shifted the ball with a heavy touch to move away from the pressure and begin a move from the left instead.
His ability to calm situations is another reason why he is often complimented by his manager. A prime example of this came with Bradford’s best spell in the game that came mid-way through the first half and although Belshaw wasn’t needed to make any saves, he alleviated a lot of pressure catching a vicious corner with ease and falling to the floor to allow his teammates to regain their shape.
Coutts’ priceless trait
The security Paul Coutts brings to the Rovers defence certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed particularly in the second-half of the season, but the captain showcased another valuable attribute he possesses.
As the Gas built pressure in the Bradford half, Hoole steamed into an unnecessary challenge which saw possession turn over.
With Hoole slowly trudging back to his position, the captain shouted one or two words of annoyance in his direction, likely telling him there was no need to make that challenge there. Hoole seemed to react in an understanding way and for the remainder of the game didn’t put a foot wrong, possibly feeling he had a point to prove.
Barton has been full of praise for Coutts admitting his value in the dressing room makes him a “£15 million player” after revealing a few weeks ago that many of the players call him ‘Uncle’.
And this moment with Hoole was a great example of the qualities he has without even factoring in his ability on the ball. His knowledge of when an arm round the shoulder is needed compared to when a stern word is better suited, is priceless to Rovers.
A different afternoon for Anderton
Despite missing from the matchday squad for the second consecutive game through injury, Nick Anderton was still present at the Mem on Saturday, but as opposed to sporting his club tracksuit he arrived in much different attire.
Leaning into the open boot of a matte black SUV, parked behind the East Stand, was Anderton frantically sorting out a change in clothing, with the defender shifting from a plain white t-shirt and jeans to a suave pastel brown three-piece suit all in the space of five minutes.
Alongside being absent from the weekend’s victory, the bruising defender missed last weekend’s defeat against his former club Carlisle United after failing a fitness test the day of the game.
Harry Anderson was shifted to left back, a position he has played several times this season, for the trip to Cumbria, but Trevor Clarke was given his first start since December on Saturday.
Injuries and more recently the form of others have heavily impacted Clarke’s minutes this season making just four league starts before Saturday’s game.
Clarke showed signs of the energy he brings to the team and snippets of his powerful left foot, although he understandably got tired during the second half and at times was rash with his decision-making.
Barton will hope for Anderton to be back soon, but Clarke getting close to 70 minutes under his belt will certainly make him an important player in the boss’ eyes with six games of the season to go.
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