Match report

Bristol Rovers Stun Rochdale 4-3 in League Two Thriller

Rochdale
Rochdale
3–4
FT
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
Apr 30, 2022

Bristol Rovers stunned Rochdale in a dramatic encounter at Spotland. The game was initially dominated by the hosts, who raced into a 2-nil lead through two strikes from Lee Charman. However, Bristol Rovers mounted a superb comeback with four goals of their own, including three from Andy Collins, securing an impressive victory despite finishing the match down to ten men.

Key Facts

  • • Rochdale 3–4 Bristol Rovers in League Two.
  • • Lee Charman scored twice for Rochdale at minutes 11 and 17.
  • • Ciaran O'Keeffe also netted a goal for Rochdale at minute 60.
  • • Bristol Rovers responded with four goals, two from Andy Collins (minutes 66 & 89) and one each by Sam Finley (minute 54) and Luke Hoole (extra time).
  • • Rochdale were reduced to ten men in the final moments of regulation play after Lee Charman and Ciaran O'Keeffe received yellow cards.
  • • Paul Coutts was sent off for Bristol Rovers in extra time with a red card.

Lineups

Rochdale

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 21 J. Eastwood (G)
  • 6 E. O'Connell (D)
  • 2 C. O'Keeffe (M)
  • 26 M. Clark (M)
  • 5 M. Taylor (D)
  • 16 M. Done (F)
  • 7 S. Dooley (M)
  • 13 J. Keohane (D)
  • 11 C. Grant (F)
  • 24 E. Brierley (M)
  • 9 L. Charman (F)

Substitutes

  • 20 D. Cashman
  • 3 A. White
  • 19 J. Andrews
  • 18 A. Odoh
  • 10 A. Newby
  • 30 B. Kelly
  • 34 J. Scanlon

Bristol Rovers

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Belshaw (G)
  • 4 J. Grant (D)
  • 17 C. Taylor (D)
  • 15 P. Coutts (M)
  • 6 S. Finley (M)
  • 19 H. Anderson (M)
  • 12 E. Anderson (M)
  • 21 A. Evans (M)
  • 2 J. Connolly (D)
  • 30 L. Hoole (D)
  • 10 A. Collins (F)

Substitutes

  • 7 L. Thomas
  • 38 R. Loft
  • 11 S. Nicholson
  • 26 G. Whelan
  • 33 A. Rodman
  • 32 A. Jaakkola
  • 16 N. Wilmer-Anderton

Timeline

  1. Rochdale
    11' Rochdale Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Charman · Assist: C. Grant
  2. Rochdale
    17' Rochdale Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Charman · Assist: C. O'Keeffe
  3. Bristol Rovers
    35' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Grant · On: Luke Thomas
  4. Bristol Rovers
    39' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    Harry Anderson

    Argument

  5. Bristol Rovers
    54' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Finley · Assist: A. Evans
  6. Rochdale
    58' Rochdale Card · Yellow Card
    J. Keohane

    Foul

  7. Rochdale
    60' Rochdale Goal · Normal Goal
    C. O'Keeffe
  8. Bristol Rovers
    66' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Collins · Assist: A. Evans
  9. Rochdale
    69' Rochdale Card · Yellow Card
    Max Taylor

    Foul

  10. Rochdale
    74' Rochdale subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Done · On: D. Cashman
  11. Bristol Rovers
    74' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Connor Taylor · On: R. Loft
  12. Bristol Rovers
    78' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Hoole · On: Sam Nicholson
  13. Rochdale
    83' Rochdale Card · Yellow Card
    C. O'Keeffe

    Time wasting

  14. Rochdale
    85' Rochdale Card · Yellow Card
    L. Charman

    Time wasting

  15. Bristol Rovers
    89' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Collins · Assist: Harry Anderson
  16. Rochdale
    90'+2 Rochdale subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Charman · On: J. Andrews
  17. Bristol Rovers
    90'+5 Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Collins · Assist: E. Anderson
  18. Bristol Rovers
    90'+8 Bristol Rovers Card · Red Card
    P. Coutts

    Violent conduct

Match Stats

Stat Rochdale Bristol Rovers
Fouls 14 7
Pass Accuracy 68% 86%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 13 24
Corners 2 6
Total Passes 288 609
Yellow Cards 4 1
Blocked Shots 2 4
Shots on Target 5 10
Shots off Target 6 10
Possession 32% 68%
Accurate Passes 195 521
Shots Inside Box 8 17
Saves 6 2
Shots Outside Box 5 7

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bristol Rovers began to rally when Sam Finley scored at minute 54, reducing Rochdale's lead.
  • ▸ The turning point came with Andy Collins' second goal in stoppage time (90+5), sealing the comeback for Bristol Rovers despite a late red card.