Player ratings as Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-0 in the Carabao Cup first round at home to Cambridge United
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
21:42, 12 Aug 2025Updated 22:16, 12 Aug 2025
Dan Hargraves
Dan Hargraves is the Bristol Rovers reporter for Bristol Live. He joined the title in July 2023 having previously worked for Reach PLC as a freelance football writer in April 2022 while a journalism student at the University of Derby. He has also reported on a number of football matches across European competition, the Premier League and EFL and covered the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. In his role as covering the Gas, he wants to leave no stone unturned and cover every angle of the football club for Gasheads' enjoyment.
Bristol Rovers striker Ellis Harrison warms up(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers' poor start to the season continued as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the first round stage by fellow League Two side Cambridge United on Tuesday evening, losing 2-0.
The visitors started by far the more dominant of the two sides and eventually got their reward around the half hour mark as Louis Appere finished smartly past Luke Southwood, prompting boos from the Thatcher's End behind.
Rovers slowly started to improve and began the second half the better of the two teams but struggled to produce a clear cut opportunity with substitute Fabrizio Cavegn forcing goalkeeper Jake Eastwood's only save.
Their momentum then fizzled out and Cambridge ensured the victory when substitute Ryan Loft got the final touch to put the ball beyond Southwood back at the Mem.
Here's how we rated the Gas players on another uninspiring outing...
READ MORE: Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United live: Gas make five changes for Carabao Cup first round tieREAD MORE: Joel Senior looking to start fresh at Bristol Rovers after disrupted first campaign in BS7
Luke Southwood - 5.5
It's not been the most solid of starts for the goalkeeper inbetween the sticks for Rovers. Known for his distribution and being capable of producing match-winning saves, we haven't quite seen any spectacular moments from the shot stopper yet. Both goals were soft once again, albeit not directly his fault, but a limited amount of his long balls proved successful. It will come for him.
Article continues below
Macauley Southam-Hales (off for Joel Senior 61') - 6
A quiet debut for the right wing-back but what he did have to do, he did well enough. Would have liked to see a bit more of him further up the flank but Rovers were struggling to get out of their own half.
Alfie Kilgour (off for Taylor Moore 46') - 6
Made some important clearances as Cambridge started much the better side. A question mark or two over his involvement in Louis Appere's goal being the nearest defender but the pass looked good enough to remove him from the equation. Assumption is that he was taken off for minutes management.
Ryan Howley - 5.5
Considering the young midfielder was deployed in a surprise position of centre-back, he managed okay. A tough ask for the 21-year-old who made some important clearances but lost most of his duels.
Clinton Mola - 5.5
A few strong tackles and interceptions but was also passed too easily on occasion. No doubt that centre-back is his best position though as opposed to left-back.
Jack Sparkes (off for Bryant Bilongo 46') - 6
Like Kilgour, the assumption is that Sparkes was taken off to manage his minutes. Would have liked to see him get forward more but was busy dealing with Cambridge's constant pressure as Rovers struggled to get out of their own half.
Kamil Conteh - 5
Clearly struggled first half as Cambridge kept regaining the ball. Unfortunate to get the yellow card which put him on a bit of a disciplinarary tightrope second half. Played forward more after half-time but the offensive side of things is clearly the young midfielder's main area for improvement.
Isaac Hutchinson (off for Fabrizio Cavegn 61') - 5.5
An improved display from Saturday, but still lacking that final bit of quality we know he's capable of at times and guilty of losing the ball too cheaply. Some of the midfielder's decision making was spot on, it was just the execution that didn't quite come off in some instances. Other times his crosses were put into dangerous areas but no one made the gamble or a Cambridge defender got there first.
Luke Thomas - 5
The winger struggled to make an impact again. Some cute touches, particularly in the second half, but it never quite fell for him. Seems to be a player in real need of confidence.
Ruel Sotiriou - 5
Pretty quiet evening for the forward who didn't offer much on the night.
Ellis Harrison (off for Ollie Dewsbury 61') - 6.5
One of few players who could come off the pitch with any sort of credit at half-time. Battled for the cause and tried to put his body to good use. Didn't get a clear cut opportunity but was a handful.
Substitutes:
Taylor Moore (on 46') - 6
Did what was required of him through the second half without being spectacular.
Bryant Bilongo (on 46') - 6
Some lovely skill to open up space soon after coming on, but was quiet for most of the remainder of the half. Nearly scored an own goal.
Fabrizio Cavegn (on 61') - 6
Forced a save from Jake Eastwood but didn't get on the ball much afterwards.
Ollie Dewsbury (on 61') - 6
Energetic as always. Didn't get on the ball quite as much as fans would have surely liked to have seen.
Joel Senior (on 61') - 6
Again, did what he needed to do without standing out.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Darrell Clarke outlines Bristol Rovers' final transfer requirements for remainder of windowREAD MORE: Darrell Clarke makes comparison to first Bristol Rovers spell after detailing mentality issues