Evans denied first win after Forde’s moment of madness

Talking points from Bristol Rovers’ defeat to Bromley at the Memorial Stadium, by Will Murray

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At halftime on Friday, the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat against Swindon Town a couple of weeks ago, which saw Darrell Clarke sacked, seemed a long time ago.

After taking an important point at playoff chasing Crewe Alexandra in Steve Evans’ first game in charge, Bristol Rovers were 2-0 up at the break against a Bromley side with seven wins in their last eight league games.

A second-half collapse, which saw substitutes Nicke Kabamba and Ben Thompson overturn the deficit after Shaq Forde’s 53rd-minute red card condemned the Gas to a sixth consecutive home league defeat, though.

Despite another defeat, Harrogate Town lost again, meaning Rovers are still teetering just above the relegation zone, but Evans knows more than anyone that they need to register wins sooner rather than later.

THE GAME-CHANGING MOMENT

IN the first half, Forde received his first yellow in the 12th minute for a late tackle on Idris Odutayo. This was one of five fouls he committed on the afternoon, with the last one a reckless challenge eight minutes after the interval, resulting in a second yellow card and, subsequently, a red card.

Evans was critical of the red card after the game, describing the second challenge by Forde as “atrocious,” while also pointing to the fact it is the 21-year-old’s third dismissal since the start of last season. While the defending for the three goals that followed after the sending off was poor, Forde’s red and decision to jump in proved to be costly for Rovers.

When Evans arrived, he said that he'd be willing to give the existing squad opportunities to prove themselves, reaffirming after the match that they are “a lot of them are playing for their immediate futures.”