Bristol Rovers 2-3 Bromley
Sky Bet League Two, The Memorial Stadium, Friday 26 December 2025
Bristol Rovers let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 to Bromley at The Memorial Stadium in Sky Bet League Two.
The Gas started strongly against a Ravens side that had won seven of their last eight league games, with Fabrizio Cavegn curling wide of the right post.
Jack Sparkes then made Rovers' dominance count with a thumping finish into the top corner before Cavegn doubled the Gas' advantage, driving a low shot into the bottom corner.
The Pirates were in control before Shaq Forde was shown a second yellow card in the second half, with Bromley staging a comeback. Nicke Kabamba headed past Luke Southwood before Ben Thompson bagged a brace to help the Ravens to all three points.
Steve Evans was looking to lead the Gas to a victory in his first match in charge at The Mem, and it almost got off to the perfect start when Cavegn made the most of Deji Elerewe's mistake, but he dragged his strike well wide of the right post.
Rovers continued to create chances and went close again. Jack Sparkes broke down the left and sent a cutback towards Shaq Forde, who directed a first-time strike beyond the left post.
Sparkes then turned from provider into scorer moments later. The left-back got on the end of Josh McEachran's pass, beating a defender before blasting a powerful strike across the goal and into the top corner.
It was not long until Fabrizio Cavegn doubled the lead for the Gas. Kamil Conteh sent a low pass to the striker on the left side of the penalty area, and Cavegn drilled his low strike past Grant Smith.
The Pirates dominated the first half, but a red card changed the tide of the fixture. Shaq Forde, who was booked in the first half, made a late tackle on Ashley Charles and was given his marching orders.
Another chance fell to Rovers, with Cavegn scuffing his low shot wide before Bromley staged a comeback. Nicke Kabamba got on the end of a cross by Deji Elerewe and turned a header into the bottom corner.
The Ravens were putting on the pressure, but the Gas were holding strong until Thompson was introduced just over ten minutes from the end. Idris Odutayo played a pass into the free Thompson, who fired a low strike beyond Southwood before the visitors scored in stoppage time.
Thompson got his brace to help Bromley to all three points, getting on the end of Mitch Pinnock's cross to bundle in the winner. The Pirates could not find a leveller and will now be looking to respond when they welcome Barnet to The Mem on Monday.
Bristol Rovers: Southwood, Sparkes, Moore, Kilgour © (Lockyer 75), Mola, Forde, Thomas (Dewsbury 75), Cotterill (Bilongo 62), McEachran, Conteh, Cavegn
Subs not used: Young, Sotiriou, Chang, Negru
Goals: Sparkes, Cavegn
Booked: Forde, Cavegn
Red: Forde
Bromley: Smith, Elerewe, Charles, Sowunmi, Krauhaus (Thompson 79), Cheek ©, Pinnock, Hondermarck (Arthurs 46), Whitely (Kabamba 46), Ifill (Ilunga 79), Odutayo
Subs not used: Long, Cameron, Arthurs, Samuel
Goals: Kabamba, Thompson (x2)
Booked: Kabamba
Attendance: 8127 (167 away)
Referee: Jacob Miles
