Gas start pre-season with a victory

BRISTOL Rovers kicked off their 2025 preseason schedule with a 2-1 friendly win away at National League South outfit Chippenham Town on Friday evening as goals from Ruel Sotiriou and Micah Anthony either side of halftime were enough for victory, writes Daniel Hargraves.

- Daniel Hargraves

The game was the Pirates’ first since the return of club legend Darrell Clarke, who will take charge of Rovers for their upcoming League Two campaign.

Chippenham had decent opportunities to open the scoring as both their starting strikers came close before Ruel Sotiriou couldn't beat the goalkeeper after breezing past a couple of defenders. The Rovers striker, who scored six goals in League One last season, broke the deadlock a minute later as strike partner Promise Omochere showed excellent strength to beat his nearest man before squaring the ball for a straightforward tap-in.