Match report

Plymouth Stuns Bristol Rovers 4-3 in EFL Trophy Thriller

Bristol Rovers

3–4

Plymouth

Jan 13, 2026

Bristol Rovers

Home

Match

Jan 13, 2026 · FT

Plymouth

Away

Plymouth staged a dramatic comeback to stun Bristol Rovers 4-3 in an EFL Trophy encounter. Caleb Watts and B. Galloway gave Plymouth an early lead, but S. Forde and F. Cavegn equalized for Bristol Rovers. Plymouth's L. Tolaj scored to give them the lead again, but Luke Thomas leveled the score for Bristol Rovers. In the dying moments, A. Pepple's goal secured victory for Plymouth, leaving Bristol Rovers stunned.

Key Facts

• Final Score: Bristol Rovers 3 - 4 Plymouth
• Caleb Watts (2'), S. Forde (21'), F. Cavegn (39'), B. Galloway (46'), L. Tolaj (49'), Luke Thomas (61'), A. Pepple (90')
• Yellow Cards: I. Hutchinson (Bristol Rovers), M. Boateng (Plymouth), K. Balmer (Bristol Rovers), B. Galloway (Plymouth)
• Substitutions: R. De Havilland (62'), K. Balmer (83'), E. Harrison (83') for Bristol Rovers; A. Pepple (59'), J. Ralls (72'), J. Paterson (82') for Plymouth

Lineups

Bristol Rovers

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

1 L. Southwood (G)
2 J. Senior (D)
4 T. Moore (D)
5 A. Kilgour (D)
3 J. Sparkes (D)
22 K. Conteh (M)
12 T. Lockyer (M)
8 I. Hutchinson (M)
7 S. Forde (F)
29 F. Cavegn (F)
11 L. Thomas (F)

Substitutes

13 B. Young
6 C. Mola
15 R. De Havilland
17 K. Balmer
19 E. Harrison

Plymouth

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

21 L. Ashby-Hammond (G)
8 J. Edwards (D)
2 M. Ross (D)
15 A. Mitchell (D)
29 M. Sorinola (D)
10 X. Amaechi (M)
19 M. Boateng (M)
4 B. Wiredu (M)
28 R. Curtis (M)
9 L. Tolaj (F)
17 C. Watts (F)

Substitutes

1 C. Hazard
6 K. Szucs
7 J. Paterson
22 B. Galloway
27 A. Pepple
32 J. Ralls
39 T. Finn

Timeline

2' Plymouth Goal · Normal Goal

Caleb Watts · Assist: X. Amaechi
21' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal

S. Forde · Assist: F. Cavegn
39' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal

F. Cavegn · Assist: K. Conteh
46' Plymouth subst · Substitution 1

Off: Matthew Sorinola · On: B. Galloway
46' Plymouth Goal · Normal Goal

B. Galloway · Assist: R. Curtis
49' Plymouth Goal · Normal Goal

L. Tolaj · Assist: R. Curtis
59' Plymouth subst · Substitution 2

Off: Caleb Watts · On: A. Pepple
61' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal

Luke Thomas
62' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card

I. Hutchinson

Foul
65' Plymouth Card · Yellow Card

M. Boateng

Foul
72' Plymouth subst · Substitution 3

Off: B. Wiredu · On: J. Ralls
75' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1

Off: I. Hutchinson · On: R. De Havilland
82' Plymouth subst · Substitution 4

Off: X. Amaechi · On: J. Paterson
83' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2

Off: Joel Senior · On: K. Balmer
83' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3

Off: Luke Thomas · On: E. Harrison
89' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card

K. Balmer

Foul
90'+1 Plymouth Card · Yellow Card

B. Galloway

Foul
90' Plymouth Goal · Normal Goal

A. Pepple · Assist: R. Curtis

Match Stats

Stat	Bristol Rovers	Plymouth
Fouls	10	19
Pass Accuracy	62%	61%
Offsides	2	3
Red Cards	—	—
Total Shots	17	17
Corners	3	3
Total Passes	326	236
Yellow Cards	3	2
Blocked Shots	3	7
Shots on Target	7	7
xG	—	—
Shots off Target	7	3
Possession	58%	42%
Goals Prevented	—	—
Accurate Passes	203	145
Shots Inside Box	13	12
Saves	3	4
Shots Outside Box	4	5

Key Match Notes

▸ Plymouth took an early lead with goals from Caleb Watts and B. Galloway, but Bristol Rovers responded with goals from S. Forde and F. Cavegn to level the match.
▸ L. Tolaj's goal restored Plymouth's lead just before halftime, and Luke Thomas's goal for Bristol Rovers kept the tension high. However, A. Pepple's late goal secured the victory for Plymouth.