Reds outclass Rovers in big win

Barnsley produced an outstanding performance to beat Bristol Rovers 3-0 at home on Tuesday evening.

Goals in the first quarter of an hour from Devante Cole and Jordan Williams put the dominant Reds in control then Josh Benson got another early in the second half.

The hosts were by far the better side throughout, creating plenty of chances and overwhelming their visitors who never threatened the home goal.

Michael Duff made two changes from the side that lost at Derby County on Saturday as Cole and Robbie Cundy came in for James Norwood and Conor McCarthy.

The Reds were excellent in the first half, dominating the ball, outmuscling their visitors and playing some fine football to create a stream of chances.

The hosts took the lead in the third minute when Callum Styles ran down the left wing into the box and played a clever pass for Cole who blasted a powerful shot from a tight angle past the goalkeeper and in. It was his first league goal since last October.

Cole almost got a second goal soon after when he latched onto a fine lofted pass by Benson but goalkeeper James Belshaw tackled him outside the box.

The second goal saw Williams shoot from about 35 yards and a deflection off a defender sent the ball into the bottom right corner. It was his first league goal for the club after netting in three cup competitions.

Benson then headed wide from Luca Connell’s right-wing corner before Cole was put in a very similar position to the one he scored from, after fine passes by Luke Thomas and Styles, but choose to cross and it was cleared.

Styles then let fly from 25 yards but his powerful effort was pushed away by the goalkeeper, then Cole dragged wide just inside the box.

Rovers made a triple change at the break and switched to a back three, but they conceded again when Benson chested the ball down 25 yards out and brilliantly found the bottom right corner for his third goal in as many games across six days.

Thomas almost got fourth when he was gifted the ball in the Rovers box and tried to round the goalkeeper who just got a hand to it.

Barnsley (4-2-3-1): Collins; Andersen, Cundy, Kitching; Williams (McCarthy 74mins), Connell, Benson, Styles; Thomas (Wolfe 74); Aitchison (Norwood 61), Cole (Marsh 83).

Unused: Wallton, Oduor, Hondermarck.

Goals: Cole 3, Williams 14, Benson 56.

Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): Belshaw; Anderson (Kilgour 84mins), Connolly, Hoole, Gordon (Gibson HT); Finley (Loft 67mins), Coutts (Whelan HT); Evans(Rossiter HT), Collins, Saunders; Marquis,.

Unused: Jaakkola, Lawrence.

Yellow cards: Coutts, Finley, Marquis, Connolly.