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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Geordie Maradona, Hoole's impression, Waterboy Whelan and Bristol Rovers moments missed

A poacher's finish 18 minutes from time from Kristian Dennis brought Bristol Rovers four-game winning run to an end at Carlisle United on Saturday.

Rovers had their chances to take something from the game but a profligate performance in the Cumbrian sunshine led to points dropped in the promotion race with just seven games left in the League Two campaign.

Dennis may have scored the game's only goal, but it was an eventful contest between two in-form sides, with plenty happening on and off the pitch. Here are some of the moments you may have missed from the defeat at Brunton Park...

Spot anything at the game that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below...

'The Geordie Maradona'

Newcastle United loan star Elliot Anderson has been the talk of the Toon recently, thanks to his eye-catching performances in the blue and white quarters of the Gas. Magpies fans hope the 19-year-old is the next homegrown talent who will make the grade on Tyneside.

With the international break giving Premier League clubs the weekend off, some Magpies fans were at a loose end and decided to take the 90-minute train journey westwards to Cumbria to see Anderson in the flesh.

A few dozen Geordies joined the Gasheads in the away end, boosting the number in attendance to 637, and they certainly contributed to the noise. Impressed by what they saw in the first half from their man, led by a gathering of shirtless lads basking in the sunshine, they launched into a chant heralding "The Geordie Maradona". It caught on, ringing out from the away section on repeat, with the decibel level peaking in the closing stages as Anderson drove Rovers' efforts to find an equaliser.

"It’s nice," Barton replied when asked for his thoughts on the Geordie contingent among the away fans. "They get to see him live and hopefully in the coming years, they get more opportunities to see him in Newcastle’s first team.

"He will certainly have to have a better end product than today, but I thought he was magnificent. He wants to take the ball with real bravery, always wants it, always available.

"We’re delighted to have him, and good for the Newcastle fans to travel over. They might just be his family.

"Phil Foden has shown for Manchester City if you’re good enough and you’re a local boy, every fan wants to see a local boy in the side. It’s going to be tricky because in the summer they will probably be linked with a lot of household names, but you never know. I always believe if you get an opportunity and you’re good enough, you’ll take it and I certainly think he is."

Hoole's flair

Speaking of Maradona, Luca Hoole was quick to show his blossoming confidence in a Rovers shirt. The teenager has been defensively dependable, though he will be disappointed he let Omari Patrick slip past him in the build-up to the opening goal, but the Welshman's time in the first team has seen him grow in belief.

He has grown as an attacking threat as a result, scoring his maiden senior goal a few weeks back and threatening more and more in wide areas, delivering a sublime assist for Aaron Collins' goal at Crawley Town.

Hoole, in his first full season in the men's game, is taking no time to show what a fine prospect he is, and there is no shortage of self-belief in his game, evidenced by a Maradona turn – our roulette, depending on your generation – that made Brennan Dickenson look rather foolish.

Defensive duties, of course, are the core of Hoole's responsibility, but he continues to show that he can offer something in each third of the pitch in an era when dynamic full-backs are flourishing.

Coutts' crunch

There are few more satisfying sounds in the world of football than a thumping challenge when both players get to the ball at the same time, and Paul Coutts played his part in a rousing 50/50 in the first half at Carlisle.

The ball went loose on the Rovers side of midfield and the hosts may have had designs on springing forward in the attacking transition, but the Rovers skipper made sure no danger was to arrive.

Coutts clashed with his counterpart, Carlisle captain Corey Whelan, with both men making contact with the ball, sending a booming sound that reverberated off the stands at Brunton Park.

The travelling Gasheads responded with some noise of their own, roaring in approval as Coutts edged the duel and came away with possession to get Rovers on the front foot.

Waterboy Whelan

Glenn Whelan did his best Bobby Boucher impression at Brunson Park, ensuring Rovers’ players on the left flank stayed hydrated in the Cumbrian sunshine on Saturday.

The unseasonably warm weather made it thirsty work for the players and during a break in play midway through the first half, Whelan took the chance to grab a drink.

Not just thinking of himself, he launched a bottle into the hands of Elliot Anderson, gesturing for him to place it on the touchline for use later in the game.

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