Player ratings as Bristol Rovers began their 2025/26 League Two season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Harrogate Town
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
17:33, 02 Aug 2025
Dan Hargraves is the Bristol Rovers reporter for Bristol Live. He joined the title in July 2023 having previously worked for Reach PLC as a freelance football writer in April 2022 while a journalism student at the University of Derby.
He has also reported on a number of football matches across European competition, the Premier League and EFL and covered the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. In his role as covering the Gas, he wants to leave no stone unturned and cover every angle of the football club for Gasheads’ enjoyment.
Bristol Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Harrogate Town in their League Two season opener(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers started their 2025/26 League Two season with a frustrating 1-0 home defeat to Harrogate Town as the Pirates went on to rue missed opportunities, most of which coming in the first half.
The Gas dominated the opening half an hour as Clinton Mola, Promise Omochere, Alfie Kilgour and Taylor Moore all had chances to break the deadlock before the hosts’ first half momentum started to fizzle out. Kilgour then saw an effort go wide early in the second half.
It was Harrogate who broke the deadlock though as Stephen Duke-McKenna finished past Luke Southwood after being played through into a one-on-one position.
Ellis Harrison, off the bench for his second Rovers debut, then had a golden opportunity to equalise after being played through on goal by fellow substitute Isaac Hutchinson. However, his effort hit the post.
A late flurry of corners weren’t enough for the Gas as they fell to an opening day defeat at home. Here’s how we rated the players…
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The debutant goalkeeper didn’t have a great deal to do over the course of the entire afternoon until having to make two saves later in the game. Just about dealt with the crosses that came his way.
Taylor Moore – 6
A solid afternoon overall for the defender without anything spectacular. Provided an aerial threat from set-pieces in the first half.
Alfie Kilgour – 8
Rovers’ best performer of the afternoon by a mile. A crunching tackle only just a handful of minutes into the game set the tone as the new Gas captain dominated at the back. The defender may well come away from the Mem frustrated he didn’t score too with a few chances falling his way. He did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Clinton Mola – 6.5
A surprise inclusion having not played a single minute of pre-season, but the left-sided centre-back was another one of the Gas’ better performers on a disappointing opening day.
Joel Senior – 6.5
Similarly to Mola, the right wing-back was solid down his flank and tried to get forward and deliver crosses where required.
Kamil Conteh – 6.5
Controlled the game when in possession for Rovers. Great to see him play 90 minutes having last featured in a competitive match on Boxing Day.
Josh McEachran (off for Ryan Howley 69′) – 6
Largely did what was required of him on a bit of a quiet debut. Another player whose good moments will probably go unnoticed at times in the middle.
Jack Sparkes – 6.5
Virtually every delivery into the box landed where it needed to be as Rovers won a flurry of free-kicks and corners. Frustratingly, they just couldn’t capitalise.
Luke Thomas (off for Isaac Hutchinson 69′) – 5
Disappointing first game of the season for the winger. Didn’t seem to make the right decisions when required and wasn’t as much of a handful for the Harrogate defence as he could have been.
Ruel Sotiriou (off for Ollie Dewsbury 69′) – 5
Also capable of much better. Didn’t cause Harrogate enough problems for someone of his quality.
Promise Omochere (off for Ellis Harrison 69′) – 6
The most effective starting forward by some margin. Held the ball up well, beat defenders to the ball a handful of times, and forced a save from James Belshaw.
Substitutes:Ollie Dewsbury (on 69′) – 6
Unlucky not to get to a loose ball in the area. No doubt would have scored if he had managed to make contact. A handful for the Harrogate defence after coming on.
Ellis Harrison (on 69′) – 6
Should have scored an equalising goal but won plenty of aerial duels.
Ryan Howley (on 69′) – 6
Didn’t really get enough time on the ball to make a notable impact.
Isaac Hutchinson (on 69′) – 6
Played a delightful ball for Harrison’s chance but was quiet from that point.
Bryant Bilongo (on
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