ROVERS’ UNBEATEN RUN COMES TO AN END AGAINST HULL
BRISTOL Rovers’ five-match unbeaten run came to an end as the Gas missed the chance to move into the play-off places, letting a one-goal lead slip to lose 3-1 to high-flyers Hull.
Rovers took an early lead through James Daly, before Hull’s secondhalf trio of substitutes, Keane Lewis-Potter, Regan Slater and Tom Eaves, all got on the scoresheet to take the points at the Memorial Ground.
The result drops Ben Garner’s side down to 13th in the table, while Hull climb to second, just a point shy of leaders Lincoln City.
Rovers got off to the perfect start after just a minute as Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis was easily dispossessed by Daly, who burst through the exposed backline to coolly slot into the corner and give the hosts the lead.
Often early goals can slow down and hinder the tempo of the game, and that was certainly the case during the early stages of the match. Both sides struggled to maintain possession for any lengthy periods with plenty of loose touches and misplaced passes on show.
Hull looked their most threatening down the right flank, with Josh Emmanuel and Mallik Wilks providing the width for the visitors. The latter was able to win a few free-kicks in menacing positions around the Rovers penalty area, however the set-pieces amounted to nothing.
As the half wore on, Hull began to grow into the game more and a sloppy back-pass from Rovers wing-back David Tutonda nearly resulted in George Honeyman dispatching a volley into the corner. Luckily for Tutonda, his blushes were spared as the former-Sunderland midfielder’s strike glanced the side-netting.
Just before the half-time whistle, Rovers nearly added to their lead, albeit against the run of play. Hull centre-back Jordy De Wijs slipped inside his own half to allow Brandon Hanlan in behind the defence. As the striker ran towards goal, pestered by backtracking Hull defenders, he laid the ball off to the onrushing Zayn Westbrook whose tame effort was comfortably saved by Matt Ingram.
Just after the hour-mark, Hull’s dominance finally proved too much for the Rovers backline. The ball was spread out to Emmanuel on the right touchline. He sent over a cross to the penalty spot, where substitute Lewis-Potter headed powerfully into the bottom corner to level the contest.
As Hull’s confidence and attacking presence grew, Rovers’ defensive unit were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the fresh blood Hull had brought on. The 76th minute saw a long ball evade Jack Baldwin and reach Eves down the right. He delivered to fellow substitute Slater at the back post, and he took a touch to settle himself before lifting the ball over Anssi Jaakkola to give Hull the lead.
Moments later, Rovers nearly got themselves back into the game, as Josh Hare cut inside and delivered a sumptuous left-footed cross to the onrushing Hanlan, who collided with City goalkeeper Ingram, resulting in a loose ball which Hull scrambled away on the six-yard line before any Rovers attackers could pounce.
As Rovers pressed for an equaliser in the dying embers of the game, Baldwin played a sloppy back-pass which was pounced on by Eaves, who rounded Jaakkola to seal the three points for the away side.
Rovers now shift their focus towards Rochdale away on Saturday, where Garner’s men will hope to get back to winning ways.