Late agony for Gas but Joey’s men still progressing nicely
Talking points from Bristol Rovers’ draw against Bolton at the University of Bolton Stadium,
FOR the second time in three League One games, victory was snatched from Bristol Rovers’ grasp deep into stoppagetime as Bolton rescued a 1-1 draw at the University of Bolton Stadium on Friday.
As against Fleetwood Town last month, Joey Barton’s side appeared to be managing their way to victory, but they were denied at the death what would have been a memorable win at a stadium which hosted Premier League football for a decade, with Dion Charles curling home a 94th-minute equaliser.
It was a painful end to a night which started so brilliantly for the Gas, with Josh Coburn sliding home his fifth goal of the season after just 70 seconds to consign last Sunday’s dismal defeat to non League Boreham Wood in the FA Cup to ancient history in football terms.
In the first half, Barton’s side were confident, catching Bolton out in transition and looking capable of extending their lead. But they became increasingly reliant on a callow yet courageous defence as the finish line came into sight until the pressure finally told deep into stoppage-time.
Despite not holding on for the win, Rovers have been beaten just once in their past 10 league games. Improvements have been made in every aspect throughout that run, but both the balance of play and a sickening conclusion were indicative of where Barton’s team find themselves at this moment in time.
The FA Cup aberration aside, they give everyone a very good game. The defence is maturing, the midfield has attacking and defensive quality and the frontline is potent, but as a collective, they are yet to find a ruthlessness which would enable them to kill off the elite teams in the third tier when they are in a position to win.
FLYING START AND FRUSTRATING FINISH
HEADING to Bolton off the back of a humbling in the FA Cup, Barton and his players could not have wished for a better start. An early goal crafted with a superb move involving Aaron Collins, Antony Evans and Coburn had them in front after less than two minutes.
Collins turned well in midfield and he picked out the motoring Evans on the right flank, with the midfielder producing a pinpoint low cross to put the chance on a plate for Coburn to finish off in the six-yard box.
Everything was playing into Rovers’ hands, with the home fans immediately frustrated and the negative atmosphere in the first half - with both the referee and the players in white feeling the heat from the stands - must have been tricky to play in and if felt like chances would come in the second half for the Gas to prey on Bolton’s frustration and desperation to wrap up a memorable win.
Instead, the composure which was displayed in the first half, with Rovers playing through the press as well as hurting Bolton in transition, was lost. Bolton were able to sustain attacks and pressure mounted on the Rovers box, but the defence deserves credit for standing so firm.
In fact, Bolton’s best chances came from the rare lapses in concentration and execution from the Gas in their defensive third, with James Connolly gifting Charles perhaps the best chance in the closing stages with an errant touch, but James Belshaw was there to save.
The kitchen sink had been ripped from the wall and was being hurled
into the Rovers box in the closing stages and at that moment the Gas could have shown more poise and opportunism. Naturally, they were intent on holding on to what they had, but chances to counter and put the game to bed were not capitalised on.
Throughout the second half as a whole, in truth, Rovers did not show enough quality in possession to keep Bolton honest. They still could have won but it would have been the product of a heroic defensive display, with Lewis Gibson and Bobby Thomas outstanding, ensuring that pressure did not always equate to chances for the hosts.
But when Charles found the top corner with a precise finish from the second phase of a late corner after the Gas could only half-clear, a point felt like a fair result. Both teams, it seems, have solid foundations but plenty to work on.
ROVERS STILL PASS THE TEST GOING
into the game against Peterborough a fortnight ago, Barton was not daunted by a pair of fixtures against promotion-chasing sides. Instead, he saw an opportunity to see where his team is at, a mid-term assessment.
It was almost six, but four points from those two games is an impressive return. Against Peterborough, the 1-0 scoreline was a bit kind to Posh. In Greater Manchester, they showed glimpses of their quality and plenty of backbone.
The table doesn’t lie and Rovers are 13th for a reason. The standings are not a snapshot of the team you are in the moment, but a story of the journey you have been on and Rovers are an entirely different proposition than they were in August and September when they were riddled with injuries.
With a healthier squad and cohesion established, on their day they are capable of beating any team at this level. Performances within games remain patchy, though, with Rovers equally capable of going off the boil for spells as they are of finding a relentless rhythm.
Finding consistency will be key, but these games have indicated that Rovers are capable of more this season. The play-offs may be a step too far in year one back in the third tier, but they could be in the conversation in the new year.
THE BOY IS A BEAST
AN early goal was not a sign of things to come for Coburn. He took his only chance and for the remaining 88 minutes plus stoppage-time, he was a workhorse more than he was an attacking threat.
That was not through any fault of his, but the flow of the game increasingly went in Bolton’s favour and the service into the 19-year-old started to dry up. Still, he was impactful, repeatedly proving too strong for much more experienced defenders as ran the channels hard all night for his team.
The Middlesbrough loanee has a game beyond his years. His goalscoring instincts are obvious. There is also a raw power that comes with his size, but he is so refined in the way he uses it, rolling defenders in the channels to get hold of possession and drag his team up the field.