Darrell Clarke takes accountability after late frenzy in Bristol Rovers' 'fantastic' Newport win

Bristol Rovers won 3-2 away at Newport County on Saturday afternoon but conceded two late goals having been 3-0 up

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

15:27, 06 Sep 2025

Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke looks on at Newport County(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)

Darrell Clarke has taken accountability for Bristol Rovers’ performance at the end of a 3-2 win away at Newport County which saw them concede two late goals from substitutes Kai Whitmore and Nathaniel Opoku.

After a flat first half, Rovers broke the deadlock early into the second period as Luke Thomas bundled the ball over the line after Fabrizio Cavegn hit the post and then forced a save in a goalmouth frenzy.

Thomas then got his and the Gas’ second seven minutes later after picking up a poor pass from Newport goalkeeper Nik Tzanev to finish clinically. Substitute Ellis Harrison added a third in the 72nd minute, heading home a delightful cross from debutant Alfie Chang who joined on loan from Birmingham City on deadline day before the two late goals.

“Listen, I’ll take accountability for that last 10-15 minutes,” Clarke reflected post-match. “I said that to my players in there. Don’t let that gloss over what is a fantastic win for us in a derby.

“We had one or two enforced changes in there. We went to a back-three, back-five, however you want to call it, and in hindsight probably didn’t see the game out well enough for us like we had done in the previous last two games. So you live and learn on that. Today, we didn’t do that, but we still won the game. So testament to the boys and their focus. That that one’s on me. So no problem.

“We said at half-time, I thought it was a very flat game, first half for a derby game, to be honest with you,” he continued. “There wasn’t a lot happening and I said to the boys at half-time, ‘come on, we’ve got to raise our game here because it’s there to be won.’ I thought we did that second half.

“Obviously got the three goals. Three away goals is important and we built from there.”

The likes of debutant Chang and fellow midfielder Kamil Conteh were amongst the star performers for Rovers, but Thomas was given the man of the match award for his brace, the winger’s first two goals of the season.

There was some controversy between the two goals as the Pirates forward seemed to get the ball over the line after a wicked deflection, but instead a foul on the goalkeeper was given.

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On Thomas’ display and goals, Clarke declared: “Brilliant. He’s deserved it because he’s come back really fit, really at it. He’s deserved his opportunity in the team. His work rate is excellent at the minute and long may that continue because if we can get the player that I remember being at Barnsley a few years ago, I know he’s a top player.

“I think he’s just a little bit unfortunate. Someone’s told me it’s probably hit him in the ribs or something, but hey, he’ll have to get one next game.”

The victory marks three consecutive wins for Rovers for the first time since October 2022 after successes over Cambridge United and Grimsby Town.

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Additionally, the win at Rodney Parade saw the Gas go five unbeaten when including the goalless draw at home to Oldham Athletic and a 4-4 draw with Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

“It’s important,” Clarke said on the winning record. “Those stats are important, aren’t they? Because that goes to show we’re doing something right at the minute. But let’s not paper over the work we’ve got to be doing.

“It’s a really good, tough league. We’ve had a good few weeks now, five unbeaten now. We’ve just got to build a platform for that. Barrow’s going to be a really tough game next week and we’ll fill up the Mem and see if we can get another win.”

Darrell Clarke takes accountability after late frenzy in Bristol Rovers’ ‘fantastic’ Newport win

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