Rovers without a win in seven games after Oliver strikes twice
BRISTOL Rovers remain in the League One relegation places following a demoralising defeat to Gillingham at the Memorial Stadium.
Rovers have now failed to win their last seven league games and concerns are growing among Gas fans.
Vadaine Oliver scored a goal in each half to propel the Gills to victory, leaving Paul Tisdale still searching for his first league victory since joining as manager.
Rovers remain 21st in the league table on 13 points, while Gillingham move into the top half of the table in 12th.
From the beginning, Gillingham’s game-plan was clear to see, namely a direct and physical style of football. With John Akinde, Oliver and Dominic Samuel up front, the Gas backline had to stand up to a number of long balls.
The first chance of the game fell to Oliver, who found enough space on the 18-yard line to work an opportunity. Even though his effort was blazed over the crossbar, it signalled the attacking intent from the away side.
Rovers began to grow into the game and started to string together a series of good passing movements.
Luke McCormick played a lofted pass through to Brandon Hanlan, who absorbed the impact of the defender before managing to lay the ball off to Sam Nicholson, who ran in and flashed a left-footed strike past the far post.
The Gas continued to apply attacking pressure on the Kent side, and minutes later Erhun Oztumer played a dangerous through ball in behind the Gillingham backline which reached Nicholson, whose shot was deflected into the sidenetting.
The same duo combined again soon after, as Oztumer fired in a first-time volleyed pass to Nicholson, who wriggled past a defender before striking a shot over the crossbar.
Although the end product continued to falter, there were positive signs from Tisdale’s side.
As the half wore on, Gillingham’s manager Steve Evans became increasingly vocal on the sidelines, going ballistic at the referee for a number of decisions.
In the 26th minute, Rovers fell behind. An angled long ball aimed for Oliver caused problems for the Gas backline. Skipper Ben Ehmer appealed for offside to the linesman, but he was unable to prevent Oliver wrestling in ahead of him to chip over Anssi Jaakkola and put the visitors ahead.
The away side almost added to their lead five minutes later as Ryan Jackson pulled the ball back to central midfielder Robbie McKenzie, whose first-time effort brushed past the far post.
Rovers started the second half with high intensity. Ehmer broke forward and laid a pass off to Oztumer on the edge of the penalty area. The Charlton loanee unleashed a curled effort which was heading towards the top corner of the net until it was saved brilliantly by Jack Bonham. The resulting corner saw Baldwin’s header loop over the crossbar.
A defensive mix up between Josh Hare and Ehmer resulted in the ball falling for Oliver, but Jaakkola spread himself to block the effort from close range.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Gillingham counterattacked following a Rovers freekick on the edge of their penalty area. The ball was spread out to captain Kyle Dempsey on the right and he crossed to Oliver, who head ed home Gillingham’s second goal from close range.
Although Rovers tried to get back into the game, the Gills backline held firm to ensure three points for the visitors.