fbpx
Connect with us

Bristol Rovers

Tempers flare between Wrexham and Bristol Rovers players following the final whistle

Tempers flare between Wrexham and Bristol Rovers players following the final whistle of a game which played out to a 1-1 draw.

Wrexham had taken the lead with a goal by Elliot Lee in the 18th minute, but Bristol Rovers managed to equalise in the 86th minute thanks to a header from Promise Omochere.

A coming together between two players escalated into a broader clash among players from both teams. However, the situation was quickly de-escalated after being separated and eventually made their way to the tunnel.

The result means that Wrexham sit 3rd in the League One table with 42 points from 21 games played, while Bristol Rovers are 19th with 22 points from 20 games played, and three points above the drop zone.

Phil Parkinson’s men are level on points with second-placed Birmingham, and trail leaders Wycombe by two.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “I’m choked, absolutely choked – it’s a game we’ve dominated really, never felt under any pressure in difficult conditions.

“Moments have cost us but really, if we’re honest on the balance of the game, the game should have been done and dusted by then.

“We should have been two or three up and that [equalising] goal should have been a consolation.

“The way we played first half was really good, against the wind we passed it really well. We had a lot of opportunities but we didn’t hit the target enough if we’re honest.

“Second half we’ve had some really good passages of play. They are always going to step it up to a certain degree, but on the balance of the game it should have been all over before then.”

Bristol Rovers’ David Horseman said, per the club website post-match: “It was a mixed day. I think it’s really good we got the point, and we needed the point to be totally honest. Ideally, we would have wanted the three, and as the game was finishing, we were probably the team on top and chasing the game.

“I think the boys tried to show fight, passion and energy in the first half, but I thought we lost our way as the half went on.

“To be fair to the subs, they made a big difference to the game and really suited the way the game actually was going. It’s a satisfying point, but there’s still loads that we need to work on.

“We have a really good squad; we have a good starting 11, and we always have a strong bench,” said Horseman. “Today was a very attacking bench. So, it’s really, really important because we had to change the flow of the game as in the first half it wasn’t good enough.

“We needed a bit more of a threat and a bit more power today. I think that was important, especially as Wrexham are a big, strong, powerful team. They made a huge impact. Even Shaq, right wing-back at the end. I thought, ‘let’s open up’ as we needed the equaliser, but I was hoping if we get the equaliser, we might go on and win it.

“We’ve got two wingers as wing-backs, and we just went for the game because I think the fans deserved that. They want us to attack, and a massive thank you to them today because I think they got us through it.

“They were absolutely brilliant today. Hopefully, it’s a little positive step, and they can have a nice Christmas and look forward to what’s going to come on Boxing Day.

“Luke Thomas has probably not been involved as much as everybody would like, and the truth is that my temptation was to start him today,” he said. “But I think everyone has to remember that he hasn’t played much for the best part of four weeks.

“When Michael Forbes went down, I thought he deserved his chance, and he did really well when he came on. That will do his confidence a world of good, we all know, and the fans all know how good he is.

“We still didn’t create enough,” he said. “We are still too loose with the ball. We know that, and we’ve spoken in the dressing room. We’ve got better quality than even what we showed today. There was far more fight, and particularly in the second half and the opening couple of moments in the first half.

“We know we have the players, but I do think we have to take care of the ball much more. It’s too frantic. It’s a transitional team too much. To create as many chances as we should with the players we have, you have to have periods with the ball.

“I said the other week when I had to take the Leyton Orient game that there was obviously no fight and no passion,” he said. “Without that, you can’t even worry about what you do with the ball because you’re never in the game. That was a really clear message.

“The fans turned up, and it was brilliant today. I was so pleased for them when we scored. You have to show that as a minimum. That’s a minimum requirement.

“Don’t step onto the pitch if you’re not going to show that. They did today, and even when it wasn’t going so well in the first half, I thought they were still committed to the cause. They just lacked a little bit of decision-making or quality at times.

“We’ve got a really good group, and they do really want to do well. We just need to get some structure in certain areas of our game, and I think we could win plenty of games this season.”

Here’s how fans reacted as tempers flare between Wrexham and Bristol Rovers players following the final whistle…

@JaseGrinham: James McClean is such a little 🐀⛽️ #UTG

@thatchersend: Congratulations James McClean on still being the biggest wanker in football 👏

@RyanEvans29: Game ends and it really starting popping off between Wrexham and Bristol Rovers players. Seems like James McClean was involved in it. No shocker. Wrexham actually lucky to get a point out of that. #BRRWRE #SkyBetLeagueOne #EFL

@Neil_Davies_: There’s going to fucking murder in that away dressing room at full time after that 2nd half performance #WxmAFC 🤬

@robj_j: Ref got to live out his dream after the final whistle and book McClean – how on earth he managed to single him out for a card is crazy !

@BRFCBill: Hahha mcclean throwing his toys out the pram at the end, the rat

@Luke73072657: James Wilson continues to have a serious attitude problem. Horror show of a game from him and then the only player to storm down the tunnel and not applaud the fans. Utter prick

@WatchingTheGas: 😂😂😂😂 Wilson started on 20 and Fletcher had to get involved! 😂😂😂😂😂

@Ponting23: Good to see a bit of fight, 2 or 3 brilliant hard tackles today as well, one in the first few minutes of the game.

@gashead1974: McLean spitting on the badge is what started it, the blokes filth.

@Martinhenry42: Good to see! The boys got involved 💥🥊

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Bristol Rovers