Evans converts late penalty to earn spirited Rovers a replay
Sam Frost reports on Bristol Rovers’ FA Cup first-round tie at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium
ANTONY Evans’ late penalty ensured a spirited Bristol Rovers are in the hat for the FA Cup second-round draw after a 2-2 draw at Oxford yesterday.
Joey Barton’s Gas – 16th in League Two – twice came from behind against the League One promotion hopefuls at the Kassam Stadium to earn a replay at the Memorial Stadium and a place in today’s draw.
Former Rovers striker Matty Taylor – who Barton believes should have received a red card – broke the deadlock early but Sam Finley levelled for Rovers in first-half stoppage time.
Marcus McGuane restored the hosts’ lead six minutes into the second half and the Gas had to weather a storm as the Us went for the kill. However, they were denied three times by the woodwork and several more by Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw. The Gas were rewarded for staying in the contest when substitute Aaron Collins was fouled in the area by Jamie Hanson four minutes from time, and Evans made no mistake from the spot to force a replay.
With Rovers lacking a recognised striker and several other players through injury, coupled with Oxford’s impressive form in the third tier, it looked a difficult challenge on paper.
That challenge became more difficult when the deadlock was broken inside of 10 minutes as Mark Sykes found a crease in the defence to receive a through ball, and his cross was perfect for Taylor to score with a simple finish.
But Rovers improved, posing a credible threat to the Oxford defence. Antony Evans almost levelled on 18 minutes, but his 18-yard effort clipped the outside of the
post with goalkeeper Simon Eastwood beaten.
Paul Coutts came close four minutes later, hitting Evans’ pulledback corner first time only for Eastwood to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar.
With 30 minutes on the clock, the Rovers players surrounded referee Paul Howard demanding a red card be shown to Taylor, alleging he had used his elbow in an aerial challenge with Alfie Kilgour. Barton was angered by only a yellow card being produced.
Rovers continued to have their moments and they levelled in firsthalf stoppage-time. Harry Anderson’s cross was only partly cleared by Elliott Moore, and the bouncing ball dropped at the feet of Finley, who displayed superb technique to half-volley into the far corner of the net on his weaker foot.
Half-time did not appear to halt Rovers’ momentum, as they went close to a second moments after the resumption. Sam Nicholson’s persistent running led to a loose ball bouncing Josh Grant’s way. His cross was just too high for Evans, who looked sure to head into an empty net.
But, with Rovers threatening an upset, Oxford were brought to life and found an extra gear.
Like Sykes in the first half, McGuane found a crack in the backline to receive the ball, and his finish left Belshaw with no chance.
Suddenly, Oxford were rampant and looked capable of scoring with each attack.
On-loan winger Gavin Whyte will be wondering how he headed wide from Ryan Williams’ tantalising cross and Cameron Brannagan almost made it 3-1 with a moment of genius. He spotted Belshaw off his line and went for goal with a free-kick inside his own half. The goalkeeper showed supreme reflexes to recover and tip over his crossbar.
Sykes struck the bar with an hour to go after dribbling into the area, with Belshaw getting the slightest fingertip to keep Rovers in with a chance.
But Belshaw had no chance four minutes later when Taylor took aim with a 25-yard volley. With the ‘keeper beaten, the ball struck the post flush and bounced back into play.
Remarkably, just seconds later as Oxford recycled possession, Taylor turned and shot at goal but was denied by the base of the same post.
Having ridden their luck, it seemed inevitable Rovers would get some reward from the game as the balance started tipping back in their favour.
So it proved when Collins nipped in just ahead of Hanson before taking a whack. Referee Howard showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Evans was equally decisive with the penalty.
He sent Eastwood the wrong way and crashed the back of the net book a return date with Oxford at the Mem.