Bristol Rovers progressed to the next round of the Vertu Trophy after a penalty shootout victory against Cambridge United – here’s how we rated the playersGoal celebrations for Kamil Conteh of Bristol Rovers during the EFL League Two match between Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers at The Wham Stadium on 15 November 2025 in Accrington, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)Bristol Rovers progressed to the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy after a 4-2 win against Cambridge United in a penalty shootout.

Rovers progressed to the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy after beating Cambridge United 4-2 on penalties. In normal time, the Gas squandered a 2-0 lead, conceding two second-half goals from Kelland Watts and Sullay Kaikai to cancel out Ellis Harrison’s first-half brace.

Bristol Live’s Bristol Rovers writer Will Murray gives his verdict and ratings on the Gas players…

Luke Southwood – 8.5

When Luke Southwood gave away a penalty in added time, allowing Kaikai to step up and send the game to a shootout, the Northern Ireland international could have let the decision affect him.

He went on to make a crucial save to deny George Munday in the 96th minute, though, before saving two spot-kicks in the shootout to book Rovers’ place in the next round. He is invaluable to the Gas and showed it again tonight.

It is also worth noting that he started the move for the second goal, lofting a perfectly weighted pass to Luke Thomas, who set up the goalscorer, Harrison.

READ MORE: Bristol Rovers through in Vertu Trophy after penalty shootout dramaREAD MORE: Bristol Rovers praise after coming through ‘entertaining’ cup tieJoel Cotterill (off for Ryan Howley, 46) – 6.5

Joel Cotterill was asked to play a different role tonight, occupying the right wing-back position in a 3-4-2-1. He was solid, playing out of his favoured central midfield role, and will likely start again on Saturday.

Stephan Negru – 6.5

It was a tough second half for Rovers, as they came under significant pressure from Cambridge, who pulled back a two-goal lead. Stephan Negru made a vital block to deny Kaikai in the 78th minute and didn’t make too many errors in a back five with changing personnel throughout the game.

Kacper Lopata (off for Taylor Moore, 69) – 7

Kacper Lopata returned to the starting lineup and looked assured during his 69-minute cameo. One of his most important contributions was a vital block to deny Kaikai just before the hour mark, with the Cambridge attacker’s powerful effort a threatening one which would have tested Southwood.

Kacper Lopata gestures during Bristol Rovers…(Image: Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Clinton Mola – 6.5

Clinton Mola had a tough ask on the left-hand side against Ben Knight, who was arguably the visitors’ best player on the night. The 24-year-old defended him well, though, and as usual showed his capabilities on the left-hand side of a back three.

Jack Sparkes – 6.5

Jack Sparkes has made a big impact recently and threatened with his delivery as a wing-back again. He is a reliable figure on that left-hand side and emphatically scored his penalty in the shootout.

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Alfie Chang – 6

Alfie Chang did a lot of running in midfield and played the full 90 without having a significant impact on the game. He has been reliable for Rovers recently and will be keen to keep his starting place on Saturday.

Josh McEachran (off for Kamil Conteh 46′) – 6

Josh McEachran put in a performance that showed his qualities, playing a few nice balls out to the wing-backs, but didn’t look fully sharp off the ball, which is to be expected given he has only recently returned to the squad.

Luke Thomas – 6.5

Luke Thomas has shown his creative spark since returning to the starting lineup on Saturday and provided the assist for Harrison’s second in this one. He also scored his penalty in the shootout, and will likely start again at Port Vale.

Freddie Issaka (off for Callum Morton, 56) – 7

Freddie Issaka has been on the cusp of his first Rovers start for a while, and he was rewarded for his bright cameos off the bench in recent weeks with a starting berth against Cambridge.

The young winger did well to win the penalty that led to Harrison’s first and looked a threat on the counter, driving the Gas forward when they were coming under increasing pressure from the visitors.

Ellis Harrison (off for Fabrizio Cavegn, 46) – 9

Harrison has made a huge difference to Rovers since returning from injury, and he scored two well deserved goals against the U’s. The first was an emphatic penalty, and the second was a clinical finish after a swift move from the hosts.

Harrison offers so much to the team in and out of possession, dragging the team up the pitch with his hold-up play and if he can build on this performance, he will be a huge threat for opposition defenders.

Goal celebrations for Ellis Harrison of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United at Memorial Stadium on 23 August 2025. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUKSubstitutes:Ryan Howley – 6

Ryan Howley replaced Cotterill as the right wing-back and was largely solid in an unfamiliar position.

Kamil Conteh – 6.5

It was a tough second half for Rovers, with Cambridge increasingly coming into the game and dictating all aspects of the game. Conteh did some good work off the ball, though, and scored the winning penalty to send Rovers through to the next round.

Fabrizio Cavegn – 6

Fabrizio Cavegn struggled to make an impact, but showed his usual desire to make runs into the wide channels and push Rovers forward. The Swiss striker also scored his penalty, which should give him a confidence boost.

Callum Morton – 5.5

While Callum Morton showed flashes of his quality, especially when he dragged the team up the pitch and won a corner in the 81st minute, he missed his penalty that would have won the tie for Rovers. It didn’t matter, though, and Morton showed glimpses of what he can bring to the team.

Taylor Moore – 6

Taylor Moore was solid when he came on and was agonisingly close to scoring the third in normal time. He got on the end of a corner in the 82nd minute, but his attempt was cleared off the line.

OPINION

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