Match report

Bristol Rovers Defeat Grimsby 3-1 in League Two Clash

Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
3–1
FT
Grimsby
Grimsby
Feb 21, 2026

In a dominant performance, Bristol Rovers held off Grimsby's fightback to secure a 3-1 victory. Goals from K. Balmer, Joe Quigley, and Y. Akhamrich ensured the home side maintained their strong form in League Two. Despite Grimsby's effort, they were unable to find an equalizer after A. Cook's consolation goal.

Key Facts

  • • Bristol Rovers: 3 goals (K. Balmer, Joe Quigley, Y. Akhamrich)
  • • Grimsby: 1 goal (A. Cook)
  • • Yellow cards for Bristol Rovers: Clinton Mola, E. Harrison, and R. Smallwood
  • • Key assists from Y. Akhamrich to Joe Quigley

Lineups

Bristol Rovers

Starting XI

  • 13 Brad Young (G)
  • 2 Joel Senior (D)
  • 17 Kofi Balmer (D)
  • 5 Alfie Kilgour (D)
  • 6 Clinton Mola (D)
  • 15 Ryan De Havilland (M)
  • 36 Richard Smallwood (M)
  • 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers (M)
  • 10 Yusuf Akhamrich (M)
  • 27 Joe Quigley (F)
  • 19 Ellis Harrison (F)

Substitutes

  • 11 Luke Thomas
  • 9 Promise Omochere
  • 29 Fabrizio Cavegn
  • 35 Mees Rijks
  • 1 Luke Southwood
  • 12 Tom Lockyer
  • 24 Tommy Leigh

Grimsby

Starting XI

  • 31 Jackson Smith (G)
  • 5 Harvey Rodgers (D)
  • 6 Samuel Lavelle (D)
  • 17 Cameron McJannett (D)
  • 16 Reece Staunton (D)
  • 20 George McEachran (M)
  • 4 Kieran Green (M)
  • 7 Jamie Walker (M)
  • 30 Charles Vernam (M)
  • 39 Andy Cook (F)
  • 9 Jaze Kabia (F)

Substitutes

  • 18 Darragh Burns
  • 15 Géza Dávid Turi
  • 14 Justin Amaluzor
  • 40 Tyrell Sellars-Fleming
  • 41 Sebastian Auton
  • 21 Tyrell Warren
  • 8 Evan Khouri

Timeline

  1. Bristol Rovers
    2' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Balmer
  2. Bristol Rovers
    7' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    Joe Quigley · Assist: Y. Akhamrich
  3. Grimsby
    38' Grimsby Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Cook · Assist: C. Vernam
  4. Bristol Rovers
    45'+1 Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    Clinton Mola

    Foul

  5. Bristol Rovers
    51' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    E. Harrison

    Foul

  6. Bristol Rovers
    63' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    Y. Akhamrich
  7. Bristol Rovers
    66' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Thompson-Sommers · On: Luke Thomas
  8. Bristol Rovers
    66' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Joe Quigley · On: P. Omochere
  9. Grimsby
    69' Grimsby subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. McJannet · On: Darragh Burns
  10. Bristol Rovers
    71' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    R. Smallwood

    Foul

  11. Grimsby
    79' Grimsby subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Green · On: G. D. Turi
  12. Grimsby
    80' Grimsby subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Walker · On: Justin Amaluzor
  13. Bristol Rovers
    83' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Harrison · On: F. Cavegn
  14. Grimsby
    89' Grimsby subst · Substitution 4
    Off: C. Vernam · On: T. Sellars-Fleming
  15. Bristol Rovers
    90' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Y. Akhamrich · On: M. Rijks

Match Stats

Stat Bristol Rovers Grimsby
Fouls 17 12
Pass Accuracy 65% 73%
Offsides 4 5
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 8
Corners 5 4
Total Passes 243 422
Yellow Cards 3 0
Blocked Shots 9 1
Shots on Target 3 5
xG — —
Shots off Target 6 2
Possession 37% 63%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 157 310
Shots Inside Box 11 7
Saves 4 0
Shots Outside Box 7 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bristol Rovers took an early lead with goals in the 2nd and 7th minutes, putting immense pressure on Grimsby.
  • ▸ Grimsby managed a consolation goal in the 38th minute through A. Cook, but Bristol Rovers responded decisively with another goal by Y. Akhamrich in the 63rd minute.