Bristol Rovers 1-0 Exeter City
Sky Bet League Two, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday 26 September 2026
Bristol Rovers recorded a club-record 11th straight home league victory with a 1-0 triumph over Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium.
Jack Sparkes set the tone early, repeatedly beating his man and firing dangerous crosses into the Exeter box, though Rovers could not find a breakthrough. Both sides created openings, with Shaq Forde and Ellis Harrison missing big chances before the half ended goalless.
Reece Cole forced Brad Young into a smart save in the only half-chance of the opening stages of the second half before Fabrizio Cavegn lifted the roof off The Mem. Kofi Balmer's cross was flicked by Alfie Kilgour towards Cavegn, who sent an overhead kick into the back of the net.
Jack Sparkes and Reiss Russell‑Denny both went close to doubling the lead, with Jack Bycroft keeping Exeter in the game. Late pressure saw Balmer, Joe Quigley and Bobby Kamwa all threaten, but Rovers' defence held firm. The Grecians pushed for an equaliser, but the Gas stood strong to secure a record‑breaking triumph.
The Gas made three changes to the team that lost 3-0 to Gillingham last time out. Alfie Kilgour, Cavegn and Sparkes came in, with the latter of the trio looking dangerous early on.
The left-back was making his second start of the season, beat his man on multiple occasions and delivered dangerous crosses into the Exeter box, but his teammates could not convert them.
Gwion Edwards had the visitors' first real chance as he cut inside past Tom James, but his cross-come shot went narrowly past the post. Shaq Forde missed a golden opportunity as Ellis Harrison turned his man and played the forward in, but his right-footed effort was straight at Bycroft.
Harrison then missed a golden chance of his own as he was released one-on-one by Cavegn, but his effort was scuffed, and it trickled into the goalkeeper's gloves. Forde saw another chance, swivelling and shooting on his left foot, but the effort went just over the bar.
There was nothing to split the sides in the first half as both struggled to turn chances into the opening goal; Forde was the one to watch going close on multiple occasions.
A quiet start to the second half saw both sides cancelling each other out, with a lack of chances being created. It took until the 63rd minute for the Grecians forward Reece Cole to have the first chance of the half, driving a low effort into Young’s body.
The game needed something special, and Cavegn provided. Balmer’s long throw was worked back to the defender, whose cross was flicked by Kilgour to Cavegn. The forward had his back to the goal but did brilliantly to send an overhead kick down the right side of the goal and in.
Rovers nearly doubled their advantage instantly as Harrison’s cross found Sparkes at the back post and his volley was denied by a mix of post and goalkeeper. Russell-Denny almost got his first goal for the Pirates, pinching the ball off the Grecians defender and unleashing a left-footed drive that the goalkeeper bundled behind.
Balmer went close with a header from Tom James’ corner as the Gas looked to secure the win. Two substitutes, Joe Quigley and Bobby Kamwa, went close in the final minutes, with Bycroft making a great save to deny Kamwa. Exeter would try to level the game, but Rovers stood strong, securing a record-breaking 11th consecutive home league win.
Bristol Rovers: Young, James, Sparkes (Purrington 89), Balmer, Kilgour, Mola, Forde (Russel-Denny 64), Kelly, Harrison (Quigley 79), Smallwood, Cavegn (Kamwa 89)
Goals: Cavegn
Bookings: Harrison
Subs not used: Binns, Gough, Sanyaolu
Exeter City: Bycroft, Samuel, Woodhouse, Fitzwater, Taylor (Oluwabori 68), Edwards (Birch 77), Cole, Cummins, Sutherland, Doyle-Hayes (Gordon 85), Rose
Bookings: Edwards
Subs not used: Phillips, Kite, Oakes, Perry
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: 11,106 (1336 away)
