Rovers grind out victory to move into third round of the Trophy
BRISTOL Rovers made it back-to-back wins for the first time under Paul Tisdale, advancing to the third round of the EFL Trophy with a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.
The Gas followed up Saturday’s win at AFC Wimbledon with a workmanlike performance in the capital last night, grinding out victory over the 10-man Os – who had defender Jamie Turley dismissed in the second half.
Ali Koiki opened the scoring for Rovers before a Jack Baldwin own goal levelled the scores, only for another own goal at the other end moments later to settle the contest.
Rovers will learn their opponents in the third-round draw later this week after playing their first game in front of supporters since March, with 1,000 Os fans socially distanced across three stands at Brisbane Road.
It did not deter the visitors, who started on the front foot, applying a relentless press whenever the Orient defence had possession. The tactics quickly paid dividends as hard work from Zain Walker and
Cameron Hargreaves forced Joe Widdowson into an errant pass, and Zain Westbrooke pounced. The midfielder immediately fed Brandon Hanlan, whose shot was parried by Sam Sargeant and Koiki was on hand to bundle home the rebound in the 12th minute.
The home support roused something of a reaction from their team,
with Lee Angol glancing a header narrowly wide from Sam Ling’s cross, and the right-back was in action again in the 27th minute, getting the better of Luke Leahy before earning a huge slice of luck. His cross deflected off the outstretched shin of Baldwin, wrongfooting Anssi Jaakkola spinning into the net.
But the law of averages quickly had its say, with Rovers getting their moment of fortune two minutes later. Westbrooke’s wicked 30-yard free-kick had no shortage of movement, leaving Sargeant beaten. Momentarily, the crossbar came to the goalkeeper’s rescue, only then for the ball to ricochet off his back and into the net.
The Os again chased a leveller as the interval neared, with skipper Craig Clay going closest, hitting a half-volley narrowly wide of Jaakkola’s right post.
The Gas changed goalkeepers at half time, with Jordi van Stappershoef replacing Jaakkola, and the Dutchman was quickly called into action, saving well with his legs to deny Ruel Sotiriou after he beat Leahy on the right flank.
Ten minutes after the interval, Turley received his marching orders. He caught Walker late and high with his studs, giving referee Alan Young no choice but to dismiss the centre-back.
Despite the man advantage, Rovers were penned back for much of the closing stages, with van Stappershoef making a good save to deny Jordan Maguire-Drew’s late free-kick. Tisdale may not be delighted with the performance, but another win will doubtless breed valuable momentum ahead of Saturday’s visit of Plymouth Argyle to the Memorial Stadium.