The taste of defeat has been rare for Bristol Rovers since the turn of the year, beaten just once in 13 League Two games before suffering a setback in their promotion bid at Newport County.James Waite’s fierce strike on 33 minutes was the only goal of the game as Rovers failed to find the back of the net in the league for just the fifth time this season.
Both Newport and the Gas had chances on a sunny yet brisk afternoon in South Wales. Finn Azaz and Jake Cain both struck the post either side of half time for Newport, while Sam Nicholson was guilty of spurning a good opportunity for the Gas in the first half before Nick Townsend's stoppage-time acrobatics denied Luca Hoole a last-gasp equaliser.
The Pirates' unbeaten streak of six games came to an end at Rodney Parade, but there are still 36 points up for grabs and the confidence in Joey Barton’s squad should not be dampened. Optimism remains that they will reach the play-offs, but here are some of the moments you may have missed on an afternoon to forget across the Severn Bridge...
Strategies and sprinklers
The pre-match rituals conducted by Rovers at the Mem will predominantly follow the same format each week, so it’s always interesting to see what goes on ahead of kick-off in an away game, and there were plenty of events that may have gone under the radar at the weekend.
As is common with visiting teams, the Gas headed out onto the pitch at around 1.30pm to check out the playing surface and there was an interesting chat taking place in the middle of one of the halves.
Barton was seen in conversation with Jon Nolan, who before Saturday had not made his Rovers debut, and rather animatedly, as was the manager’s demeanour for much of the afternoon, Barton seemed to be explaining passages of play and positions to take up in certain scenarios to the former Ipswich man.
The pair briefly had to abandon their conversation though as a sprinkler appeared from the turf right where they were standing, with Barton doing his best to save his cup of coffee from being spoiled. The long and detailed conversation hinted at Nolan possibly starting at Rodney Parade, but he was to be named on the bench again before making his bow as a second-half substitute.
Once that dialogue had concluded, coaches Andy Mangan, Kevin Bond, Tony Warner and Tom Short took charge of the warm-up, with Barton fixing his focus elsewhere. Stood still near the halfway line in a similar stance to how Jurgen Klopp watched Manchester City warm up a few seasons ago, Barton intently viewed Newport partake in a game of keep-ball.
A commendable campaign
The #HerGameToo campaign – which counts Gasheads Caz May and Lucy Ford as founding members – has been getting plenty of traction this season with more and more clubs signing up, and both teams showed their support for the initiative at Rodney Parade by wearing shirts emblazoned by the logo.
#HerGameToo was founded in May 2021 by 12 female football fans of clubs across the English leagues to raise awareness of the sexist abuse they had encountered following their teams on the terraces and online.
The campaign has official partnerships with 18 clubs in League Two, including Rovers and Newport, and the game was chosen to be Newport’s dedicated fixture to #HerGameToo ahead of International Women’s Day on Tuesday.
Young Newport supporter Niamh did an excellent job of reading out the teams before play began and Rovers' players threw their shirts into the away end for supporters to take home.
Barton’s fury with officials
Newport’s first-half goal stacked the odds in their favour and allowed them to manage the game and the clock, with Rovers unable to find any momentum amid the expected gamesmanship of a team with a narrow lead. Barton could not blame Newport for their tactics, but he made clear his frustration with the officials.
As the Gas started to apply pressure on the Newport defence inside the final 20 minutes, a promising attack was stopped abruptly in its tracks after Aaron Lewis hit the deck.
At first, the full-back was down holding his ankle, but upon realising play would not be stopped he shuffled his hands towards his face and thus the referee stopped the game believing it was a possible head injury.
Once the whistle had sounded, Barton raced out of his technical area incensed that the officials had seemingly fallen for some clever yet maddening antics, placing his hand on the arm of the fourth official in an attempt to plead with the officials to not fall for it again.
After the game, Barton then marched directly to referee Darren Handley to vent his grievances over not just one moment, but an entire half of time-wasting by Newport that was not duly dealt with.
In his post-match press conference, the manager made clear he did not blame the opposition. His players would do the same in their shoes, but he wanted the officials to take control of the situation.
Hoole and Finley’s disagreement
Rovers more creative players in particular endured a tough afternoon with Antony Evans and Elliot Anderson gained no joy in unlocking the Newport defence and even the fresh legs of Sam Finley were unable to conjure up the required moment of brilliance, best epitomised by Finley's interaction with Luca Hoole in the closing stages.
Finley’s introduction just after the hour mark gave the Gas more energy and control in the middle of the park, but he could not change the result.
With the Pirates throwing caution to the wind in the final minutes, Luca Hoole found himself pushed far up the pitch and his run into an open channel was spotted by Finley who was in possession in the middle of Newport’s defensive half. The midfielder attempted a cute pass behind the lines, but the slight spin he placed on the ball allowed it to trickle into the welcoming arms of Nick Townsend.
Following the pass, Finley threw his arms to his side and was gesturing to Hoole that if he had not have gone as far wide in an attempt to receive the pass, he would have likely got on the end of it.
That moment of near-miss encapsulated Rovers on the day with them just being one pass or one clinical moment of finishing away from taking something from the game back across the Severn Bridge.
Another game, another Kevin Bond acquaintance
Kevin Bond interacting with a player or coach from the opposing team has become a fixture of the moments missed and he appears again this week.
As both teams entered the field for the warm-ups, Bond was deep in conversation with newly-appointed Newport assistant manager Carl Serrant after Wayne Hatswell chose to reunite with former Exiles manager Michael Flynn at Walsall. However, despite some serious research, there was no clear indication that Bond and Serrant have worked together at a club before.
Then again, the pair have both enjoyed a vast career in football and the likelihood of them having crossed paths several times without being part of the same team is high.
What is abundantly clear is Bond must have a phonebook – do people still have those? – filled with names from all corners and levels of the game.
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