Match report

Bristol Rovers Defeat Walsall 2-0 in League Two Clash

Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
2–0
FT
Walsall
Walsall
Feb 3, 2026

Bristol Rovers stung visiting Walsall with a quickfire brace to secure a convincing 2-0 victory in their League Two clash. Yassine Akhamrich and Koby Balmer found the back of the net within minutes, stifling any hope of a comeback from Walsall.

Key Facts

  • • Yassine Akhamrich scored in the 61st minute, assisted by Stephen Forde
  • • Koby Balmer added another goal for Bristol Rovers just three minutes later
  • • Jack Sparkes of Bristol Rovers and A. Pattison from Walsall received yellow cards during the match
  • • Walsall made multiple substitutions in an attempt to alter the game's momentum, but could not find a way through

Lineups

Bristol Rovers

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 13 B. Young (G)
  • 17 K. Balmer (D)
  • 5 A. Kilgour (D)
  • 26 R. Harbottle (D)
  • 10 Y. Akhamrich (M)
  • 15 R. De Havilland (M)
  • 6 C. Mola (M)
  • 3 J. Sparkes (M)
  • 19 E. Harrison (F)
  • 7 S. Forde (F)
  • 29 F. Cavegn (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 L. Southwood
  • 2 J. Senior
  • 4 T. Moore
  • 11 L. Thomas
  • 14 K. Thompson-Sommers
  • 20 J. McEachran
  • 35 M. Rijks

Walsall

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Roberts (G)
  • 6 P. Farquharson (D)
  • 4 A. Flint (D)
  • 5 H. Burke
  • 2 C. Barrett (M)
  • 23 A. Pattison (M)
  • 20 A. Chang (M)
  • 17 C. Clarke (M)
  • 3 M. Hancock (M)
  • 37 A. Adomah (F)
  • 15 D. Kanu (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 S. Hornby
  • 8 C. Lakin
  • 11 A. Loupalo-Bi
  • 14 B. Comley
  • 19 A. Pressley
  • 30 E. Weir
  • 31 R. Richards

Timeline

  1. Bristol Rovers
    43' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    Jack Sparkes

    Argument

  2. Walsall
    59' Walsall Card · Yellow Card
    A. Pattison

    Argument

  3. Bristol Rovers
    61' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    Y. Akhamrich · Assist: S. Forde
  4. Bristol Rovers
    64' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Balmer
  5. Walsall
    66' Walsall subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Adomah · On: Aaron Pressley
  6. Walsall
    67' Walsall subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Chang · On: C. Lakin
  7. Walsall
    67' Walsall subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Clarke · On: R. Richards
  8. Bristol Rovers
    83' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Y. Akhamrich · On: Joel Senior
  9. Bristol Rovers
    87' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Cavegn · On: M. Rijks
  10. Bristol Rovers
    90'+5 Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Harrison · On: T. Moore

Match Stats

Stat Bristol Rovers Walsall
Fouls 8 6
Pass Accuracy 64% 65%
Offsides 1 4
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 14
Corners 5 5
Total Passes 329 373
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 2 7
Shots on Target 6 3
xG — —
Shots off Target 2 4
Possession 47% 53%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 210 243
Shots Inside Box 7 7
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 3 7

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early second-half goals by Akhamrich and Balmer set Bristol Rovers on their path to victory, quickly establishing control over Walsall
  • ▸ Multiple substitutions from Walsall in the 60s minute mark proved too little too late as Bristol Rovers maintained composure to secure the clean sheet