Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Barnsley: O'Donkor leads line and Wilson props up in win

daniel hargraves

Sat, 18 Jan 2025, 0:42 pm·4-min read

Bristol Rovers secured a hard-earned first home win under Inigo Calderon against in-form Barnsley with goals from Gatlin O'Donkor, Isaac Hutchinson and Ruel Sotiriou securing a 3-1 win.

The Gas massively rode their luck for large spells of the first half as Barnsley squandered a number of good opportunities, either missing the target or seeing Josh Griffiths force the save. However, Rovers started to grow more into the game and eventually broke the deadlock as a cracking cross from Grant Ward was headed home by Gatlin O'Donkor.

Rovers quickly doubled their advantage as Isaac Hutchinson tapped a James Wilson squared pass into the back of the net with Barnsley missing further good opportunities.

The visitors eventually took one of their chances as Josh Earl headed home from a free-kick with Darrell Clarke's side pushing for the equaliser.

However, the Gas managed to hold on and score a crucial late third as substitute Ruel Sotiriou got on the end of another Wilson square ball.

Here's how we rated the players on a big afternoon in their season...

Josh Griffiths - 8.5

Didn't get the clean sheet but boy did he contribute to the haul of three points. Once again a stoic display against Barnsley, like he did in the FA Cup success in November. Countless saves and great commanding of his area.

Taylor Moore - 7

Right-back clearly isn't his preferred position but the defender is still giving it his absolute all and is getting better there. Some really important defensive moments, notably in the second half, and didn't shy away from the odd cross into the box.

James Wilson - 8

Two assists as a centre-back is absolutely absurd, even more so considering they were square passes. The defender had a decent game at the back too despite the numerous missed Barnsley chances.

Connor Taylor - 7

Also contributed to some outstanding defensive moments but had Barnsley taken their chances, the narrative might have looked slightly different.

Lino Sousa - 6.5

Very positive. A few naive moments at the back but also made some important blocks on crosses and always looked to give Rovers an option in attack.

Romaine Sawyers (off for Jamie Lindsay 87') - 6

Not the best home debut but you can see how Inigo Calderon wants to use the midfielder, just in front of the defence, and it's a position they've needed to strengthen. Hopefully a couple more games will see him get more up to speed.

Grant Ward - 8

A delicious cross for Gatlin O'Donkor's goal and seemed to be everywhere for the Gas and never backed down from a challenge. A really strong midfielder's performance.

Luke Thomas (off for Joel Senior 87') - 7.5

Superb. Consistently a threat in attack while getting back for the defensive effort. Nicked the ball off of the heels of a Barnsley player countless times.

Isaac Hutchinson (off for Ruel Sotiriou 71') - 7

Guilty of some cheap giveaways in the first half but always looked a notable threat in attack and got a much-needed goal in the second half.

Scott Sinclair (off for Chris Martin 71') - 5

Two brilliant chances in the first half that didn't even go close to going in the back of the net before seeing a third effort clip off the crossbar in the build-up to Gatlin O'Donkor's goal.

Gatlin O'Donkor (off for Clinton Mola 76') - 7.5

A very popular goalscorer for the Gas. Poor decision making just minutes before his goal where he did brilliantly to win the ball but opted to shoot from an extremely tight angle instead of cutback.

The header for his first Mem goal though was a bullet after a cracking Grant Ward cross. Very solid centre-forward's display.

Substitutions:

Ruel Sotiriou (on 71') - 7.5

Deserved goal. Lovely run into the box and first-time finish to score a crucial goal.

Chris Martin (on 71') - 6

Kept hold of the ball well as Rovers saw out the victory.

Clinton Mola (on 76') - N/A

Came on late but nice to see him back.

Jamie Lindsay (on 87') - N/A

Came on late.

Joel Senior (on 87') - N/A