Richie Smallwood insisted Bristol Rovers should have beaten Peterborough United at The Mem after losing 1-0 to the Posh in Round One of the Carabao Cup.
The Pirates boasted an impressive home record towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign and came into the game with confidence after a strong pre-season. The Gas created chances in the opening exchanges, but were punished against the run of play by Peterborough, with Harry Leonard netting from the penalty spot.
Rovers had opportunities in the second half, with Riley Harbottle, Mees Rijks and Keenan Gough having chances but could not convert, meaning Peterborough held on to a narrow victory to progress to the next round.
Speaking to BRTV after the fixture, Smallwood was disappointed with the result but had pride in captaining the side.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME
“Yeah, I mean, disappointed with the result. They are a good side; they have a certain style of play. That won't change. I thought we got into some good positions and I don't think they got into their rhythm too much.
“We started well in both halves, but then I think we just came off the boil a little bit and they got a little bit of momentum. Especially in the first half, and then obviously they get the penalty, which I haven't seen it back to be fair, but I thought it was soft. After the first goal we got a bit jaded five, ten minutes after that, they had a few more chances.
“I thought we still went got some good areas to be fair. Just our final third. I thought we could have been a bit more dominant today as well. Both ends of the pitch and then it filtered through team. I think the seconds in midfield could have been better as well.
“But like I said, I think in both halves we got into some good areas and we just couldn't quite put the finishing touch in.
“Yeah, I said we started both halves well, especially the first half. I felt like we got in their areas and then we just gave them pressure, really.
“We were giving balls away in areas. Then I felt like that they started to come back into the game, obviously to get the penalty. So like I said, just disappointed because we feel that we should beating Peterborough.
“Yeah, we knew they were a good team, they had two flying wingers. We knew that, to try and nullify them. They had a good day at the office but I thought two full-backs were absolutely superb. They did the job really well at times.
“That’s how they play, to get the wingers one versus one and we knew that was going happen at times, and the full-backs did an excellent job because they knew they were going to be in for a tough afternoon. So fair play to them. They'll sleep well tonight.
"Overall, we're disappointed because we should be beating Peterborough at home. No disrespect to them, they are a good team, but we should be beating them at home."
REISS RUSSELL-DENNY AND KEENAN GOUGH
“Yeah, they've got some good minutes today. Obviously, they’ve only been in for a few days, so I had a good look at them and I obviously they’ve got ability. They’ve come from the Championship and the Premier League, so they’ve obviously got ability.
“The more game time they have and they longer they’re here, the more integrated they’ll feel and they’ll feel more comfortable. Reece in the eight had some quality moments, to be honest with him, I don’t know whether he could have shot when he cut back in this end here, I couldn’t see from my angle, but obviously that’s the ability that he has and that will show in League Two this season, for sure."
BEING THE CAPTAIN TODAY
“Yeah, it's a proud moment for me. To be asked to be captain of this team and obviously this football club, this great football club and got off to the wrong start. But I thought on a personal note, it was a pleasure to be asked to stand in while Alfie wasn't available."
YORK PREVIEW
“Yeah, I mean, what a game to start, really. York had a fantastic season, scored a lot of goals so we know they're going to be a threat.
“Yeah, one we're looking forward to, we'll try and take advantage of them being newly promoted and obviously in front of their fans they might be a little bit nervous, who knows? We'll see.
“We will go there with full confidence and try and impose our game on then before they do on us.”
