Match report

Bristol Rovers Defeat Accrington ST 2-0 in League Two Clash

Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
2–0
FT
Accrington ST
Accrington ST
Mar 28, 2026

Bristol Rovers defeated Accrington ST 2-0 in a well-fought League Two match. R. Harbottle and Jack Sparkes scored the goals for the hosts, securing three crucial points in the competition. Accrington ST struggled to find rhythm, with multiple yellow cards and substitutions not helping their cause.

Key Facts

  • • R. Harbottle scored the first goal for Bristol Rovers in the 5th minute, assisted by K. Balmer.
  • • Jack Sparkes added the second goal in the 53rd minute, putting Bristol Rovers firmly in control.
  • • Devon Matthews and Freddie Sass received yellow cards for Accrington ST, with several substitutions made to adjust tactics.
  • • M. Rijks was booked for time wasting in the 67th minute for Bristol Rovers.
  • • Final score: Bristol Rovers 2, Accrington ST 0.

Lineups

Bristol Rovers

Starting XI

  • 13 Brad Young (G)
  • 17 Kofi Balmer (D)
  • 5 Alfie Kilgour (D)
  • 26 Riley Harbottle (D)
  • 2 Joel Senior (M)
  • 36 Richard Smallwood (M)
  • 6 Clinton Mola (M)
  • 3 Jack Sparkes (M)
  • 24 Tommy Leigh (F)
  • 27 Joe Quigley (F)
  • 29 Fabrizio Cavegn (F)

Substitutes

  • 35 Mees Rijks
  • 7 Shaqai Forde
  • 19 Ellis Harrison
  • 1 Luke Southwood
  • 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers
  • 15 Ryan De Havilland
  • 11 Luke Thomas

Accrington ST

Starting XI

  • 13 Oliver Wright (G)
  • 17 Devon Matthews (D)
  • 5 Farrend Rawson (D)
  • 2 Donald Love (D)
  • 38 Connor O'Brien (M)
  • 28 Seamus Conneely (M)
  • 8 Paddy Madden (M)
  • 20 Charlie Brown (M)
  • 11 Isaac Sinclair (F)
  • 7 Shaun Whalley (F)
  • 39 Josh Woods (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Freddie Sass
  • 23 Tyler Walton
  • 22 Dan Martin
  • 27 David Ogundele Abimbola
  • 1 Michael Kelly
  • 25 Joshua Smith
  • 24 Luke Butterfield

Timeline

  1. Bristol Rovers
    5' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Harbottle · Assist: K. Balmer
  2. Bristol Rovers
    49' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    R. Harbottle

    Foul

  3. Accrington ST
    52' Accrington ST Card · Yellow Card
    Devon Matthews

    Foul

  4. Bristol Rovers
    53' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    Jack Sparkes
  5. Accrington ST
    54' Accrington ST subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Devon Matthews · On: Freddie Sass
  6. Accrington ST
    62' Accrington ST subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Brown · On: T. Walton
  7. Bristol Rovers
    66' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Leigh · On: S. Forde
  8. Bristol Rovers
    66' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Cavegn · On: M. Rijks
  9. Bristol Rovers
    67' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    M. Rijks

    Time wasting

  10. Accrington ST
    75' Accrington ST subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. O'Brien · On: D. Martin
  11. Accrington ST
    75' Accrington ST subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Madden · On: D. Abimbola
  12. Accrington ST
    80' Accrington ST Card · Yellow Card
    Freddie Sass

    Foul

  13. Accrington ST
    83' Accrington ST Card · Yellow Card
    T. Walton

    Foul

  14. Bristol Rovers
    90' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Joe Quigley · On: E. Harrison

Match Stats

Stat Bristol Rovers Accrington ST
Fouls 13 11
Pass Accuracy 52% 63%
Offsides 5 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 9
Corners 5 7
Total Passes 237 312
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 1 5
Shots on Target 3 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 43% 57%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 124 198
Shots Inside Box 9 5
Saves 1 1
Shots Outside Box 2 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. Harbottle's early goal in the 5th minute set the tone for Bristol Rovers, giving them a confident start.
  • ▸ Jack Sparkes' goal in the 53rd minute solidified Bristol Rovers' lead, despite Accrington ST's attempts to equalize.
  • ▸ Multiple substitutions and yellow cards for Accrington ST disrupted their rhythm, making it difficult to mount a comeback.