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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Stevenage: Elliot Anderson and Sam Finley rampant

James Belshaw - 8

Very little to do for long stretches, but he showcased his reflexes with an excellent full stretch save to repel Luke Norris' header.

Luca Hoole - 9

Made two crucial clearing headers in the opening moments, and another defensive intervention sent Sam Finley on a buccaneering counter attack. Started so many attacks with smart passes and gave the Stevenage defence plenty to worry about.

Connor Taylor - 8

Stevenage asked few questions of Rovers' defence for long periods, but Taylor was controlled and secure at the back.

James Connolly - 8

Moved the ball expertly on a sodden pitch to give Rovers long spells of dominance on the ball. Defended strongly to boot.

Nick Anderton - 8

Another assured performance on the left of the back four to give Rovers a solid platform.

Paul Coutts (c) - 8

Neat and tidy on a tricky pitch, keeping Rovers in total contol until he was taken off on a booking.

Sam Finley - 9

Ran the show in the first half with a sensational solo performance. Almost scored an incredible breakaway goal but his effort was cleared off the line after rounding the keeper. That mattered little a few seconds later as he found the top corner with a wonderful strike from 18 yards. Less eye-catching in the second half before being substituted, but an excellent afternoon's work.

Sam Nicholson - 8

An afternoon lacking a bit of fortune in front of goal, but he was outstanding otherwise. An inspired flick created the chance for Elliot Adnerson to make it 2-0.

Elliot Anderson - 9

A class above. Worth the admission fee in his own right and Stevenage were made to pay a handsome price as they watched him wreak havoc at the Lamex. So unfortunate to shoot wide after leaving defenders' heads spinning before the break, but he did not have to wait long for his first senior goal. He raced onto a sublime flick from Nicholson and drilled into the bottom corner. Added an assist moments later with a pinpoint cross.

Harry Anderson - 8

Another fine performance from a player hitting form at a great time for the Gas. A constant threat wide left in the first half and scored a deserved goal to make it 3-0 by capitalising on some dozy market to slam home his namesake's cross.

Aaron Collins - 8

Always a danger in behind. Unlucky not to score in the first half with Christy Pym making two fine interventions, but he got on the scoresheet with a predatory finish that underlined his ever-improving improving striker's instincts.

Substitutes

Glenn Whelan (for Coutts, 62') - 7

An ideal like-for-like replacement for Coutts.

Ryan Loft (for Nicholson, 69') - 8

An impressive cameo where he proved to be a bruising presence in attack. Very unlucky not to score with an inventive effort from distance on the touchline, being denied by Pym's fingertips and the bar, but Collins finished the chance on the follow-up.

Luke Thomas (for Finley, 76') - 7

Menacing, but should have been more willing to shoot.

Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Pablo Martinez, Harvey Saunders, Leon Clarke.

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