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Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke looks on(Image: Steve Taylor\/PPAUK)<\/p>\n\u201cWe had a great chance first half with Ellis [Harrison]. Goalkeeper pulls off a great save, scoring the first goal was key today, and we give a Sunday League goal away.<\/p>\n
18:04, 06 Dec 2025Updated 18:50, 06 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke looks on(Image: Steve Taylor\/PPAUK)<\/p>\n
Darrell Clarke<\/a> described the goal that Bristol Rovers<\/a> gave away as \u201cSunday League” defending, with the Gas exiting the FA Cup<\/a> after a 1-0 defeat against Port Vale in the second round.<\/p>\n Ben Waine collected a header from Connor Hall, which went through the middle of Rovers\u2019 backline, with the number 19 slotting past Luke Southwood two minutes after the break.<\/p>\n \u201cHuffed and puffed and blew nothing down. I thought it was a very lacklustre game, to be honest with you, not a lot of quality in it at times,\u201d Clarke said when asked about the defeat at Vale Park.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a great chance first half with Ellis [Harrison]. Goalkeeper pulls off a great save, scoring the first goal was key today, and we give a Sunday League goal away.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m absolutely raging about the goal, because that is a pathetic goal to give away, not acceptable. And that means we’re chasing the game, and we huffed and puffed. We had a few half-chances, a few chances to break, wide players get enough of the ball to make things happen, forwards have had enough of the ball to make things happen and we haven’t.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Callum Morton contract length revealed after signing \u2018short-term deal\u2019 with Bristol Rovers<\/a>READ MORE: Alfie Kilgour and Promise Omochere fitness update ahead of Bristol Rovers FA Cup clash<\/a><\/p>\n When asked whether the players switched off for the goal that came so soon after the break, Clarke said: \u201cNo, I don’t think, I know we did. I know we did. It’s a Sunday league. That’s why he came off the pitch. Listen, players don’t mean to make mistakes, but have a focus and an understanding, that we’re at a level now where you can’t be giving goals away like that, in my opinion.<\/p>\n “And then we’re chasing the game, like you say, it’s a sticky pitch, ball didn’t really move that quick on it. We got ourselves in positions to go and hurt their backline on numerous occasions, and yet again, we didn’t produce enough, anywhere near enough, and when we do get that chance or half-chance, we don’t take it.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, listen, I don’t think we deserved anything out of the game if I’m honest with you – they\u2019ve had a few chances, keepers had a good game again. And one or two of them. Like I said, I can go in there and keep stripping them down.\u201d<\/p>\n Bristol Rovers are preparing for a new season in League Two with Darrell Clarke back at the helm and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.<\/p>\n All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250513_DCSigns_WC063-copy.jpg\")
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