Aaron Collins opened the scoring with a very early Christmas present in the 15th minute as what can only be defined as ‘miscommunication’ between Ryan Jackson and ‘keeper Luke Southwood gifted Collins an open goal. The two Robins both went for the ball only for them to collide and see it fall to the Rovers striker who claimed his seventh and easiest goal of the season.
Lewis Freestone had a header cleared off the line before Antony Evans tapped home from five yards to double the visitors’ advantage, another gift of a goal as he ran in unmarked and uncontested. Bobby Thomas was allowed safe passage through the Cheltenham box in the 42nd minute as he made it three, heading home Paul Coutts’ corner.
Added time saw the misery complied as the normally ever reliable Caleb Taylor misjudged the ball’s bounce and saw Rovers’ ‘keeper James Belshaw’s long ball forward bounce over and through to Collins who scored his second two minutes into added time.
Cheltenham caught a glimpse of what could have been an impressive comeback when Liam Sercombe scored against his former club nine minutes into the second half. A questionable penalty was awarded after Jackson went down in the Rovers’ box and Sercombe smashed home to convert and put some pressure on Joey Barton’s side.
This was it for the Robin’s goal threat against a poor Rovers side with just four shots on target (although the visitors had the same) and little attacking output with Dan Nlundulu often dropping to receive and finding himself too far back to pose a threat.
Fans were crying out for change with Wade Elliott first going to the bench with ten minutes to go as Christian Norton replaced Taylor Perry and James Olayinka coming on for Nlundulu.
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It was an easy and calm end to what was a frustrating afternoon for the Cheltenham faithful as Bristol Rovers claimed their third win on the bounce in the first league meeting between the clubs since 2014.
Cheltenham face West Ham U21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
