Match report
Bristol Rovers Defeats Cheltenham 4-0 in League Two Clash
Bristol Rovers
4–0
FT
Cheltenham
Apr 25, 2026
Bristol Rovers stunned Cheltenham with a 4-0 victory in their League Two match, thanks to a hat-trick from E. Harrison and a late goal from S. Forde. The home side capitalized on their early dominance, scoring twice within the first 10 minutes and holding off a valiant effort from the visiting team.
Key Facts
- • E. Harrison scored a hat-trick for Bristol Rovers (2', 45+3', 56')
- • Jack Sparkes provided an assist for the opening goal
- • S. Forde scored the fourth goal (87')
- • Bristol Rovers had three yellow cards (R. Smallwood, K. Balmer, Jack Sparkes)
- • Cheltenham's J. Wilson received a yellow card for argument
- • Bristol Rovers made five substitutions, Cheltenham made four
Lineups
Bristol Rovers
Starting XI
- 13 Brad Young (G)
- 2 Joel Senior (D)
- 17 Kofi Balmer (D)
- 26 Riley Harbottle (D)
- 3 Jack Sparkes (D)
- 36 Richard Smallwood (M)
- 6 Clinton Mola (M)
- 10 Yusuf Akhamrich (M)
- 7 Shaqai Forde (M)
- 9 Promise Omochere (M)
- 19 Ellis Harrison (F)
Substitutes
- 12 Tom Lockyer
- 24 Tommy Leigh
- 27 Joe Quigley
- 35 Mees Rijks
- 15 Ryan De Havilland
- 1 Luke Southwood
- 29 Fabrizio Cavegn
Cheltenham
Starting XI
- 1 Joe Day (G)
- 27 Jonathan Tomkinson (D)
- 24 Sam Sherring (D)
- 5 James Wilson (D)
- 21 George Nurse (D)
- 8 Luke Young (M)
- 4 Harry Ashfield (M)
- 14 Ryan Broom (M)
- 11 Jordan Thomas (F)
- 9 Josh Davison (F)
- 20 Jake Bickerstaff (F)
Substitutes
- 22 Mo Faal
- 2 Arkell Jude-Boyd
- 7 Cole Deeming
- 16 Josh Martin
- 41 Mamadou Diallo
- 3 George Harmon
- 10 George Miller
Timeline
-
2' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal GoalE. Harrison · Assist: Jack Sparkes
-
6' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow CardR. Smallwood
Foul
-
32' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow CardK. Balmer
Foul
-
45'+3 Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal GoalE. Harrison
-
55' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow CardJack Sparkes
Foul
-
56' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal GoalE. Harrison
-
62' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 1Off: J. Davison · On: M. Faal
-
64' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1Off: R. Smallwood · On: Tom Lockyer
-
65' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2Off: P. Omochere · On: T. Leigh
-
68' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 2Off: G. Nurse · On: Arkell Jude-Boyd
-
69' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 3Off: Ryan Broom · On: C. Deeming
-
71' Cheltenham Card · Yellow CardJ. Wilson
Argument
-
74' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3Off: E. Harrison · On: Joe Quigley
-
79' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 4Off: J. Bickerstaff · On: Josh Martin
-
84' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 4Off: Y. Akhamrich · On: M. Rijks
-
85' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 5Off: Clinton Mola · On: R. De Havilland
-
87' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal GoalS. Forde · Assist: Joe Quigley
-
90'+1 Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow CardTom Lockyer
Time wasting
Match Stats
| Stat | Bristol Rovers | Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 19 | 6 |
| Pass Accuracy | 58% | 78% |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 9 | 9 |
| Corners | 1 | 7 |
| Total Passes | 222 | 384 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 1 |
| Blocked Shots | 2 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 1 |
| xG | — | — |
| Shots off Target | 3 | 6 |
| Possession | 37% | 63% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 128 | 300 |
| Shots Inside Box | 5 | 4 |
| Saves | 1 | 0 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 5 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Bristol Rovers took an early lead through E. Harrison's goal in the 2nd minute, setting the tone for the match.
- ▸ E. Harrison's second goal in the 45+3' gave Bristol Rovers a commanding lead at halftime.
- ▸ The third goal by E. Harrison in the 56th minute effectively sealed the victory for Bristol Rovers.