Bristol Rovers 2-2 Cobham Next Gen
Cobham Next Gen win 4-2 on penalties
EFL Trophy, The Memorial Stadium, Tuesday 25 August 2026
Bristol Rovers were defeated 4-2 on penalties by Cobham Next Gen in the EFL Trophy after a 2-2 draw at The Memorial Stadium, where goals from Harrison Bettoni and Chizaram Ezenwata cancelled out strikes from Mees Rijks and Joe Quigley.
Rovers started sharply, going close when Reiss Russell Denny crashed a first-time strike off the bar before Mees Rijks converted Jack Aitchison’s cross to give them a deserved lead. CNG threatened through Harrison Bettoni and Jashayde Greenwood, but Rovers carried the stronger moments as Quigley twice teed up chances inside the box.
The Gas pushed on after the break, with Macauley Southam Hales’ pace opening up space and Joe Quigley eventually doubling the advantage with a clean volley from Russell Denny’s delivery. CNG responded well, pulling one back through Bettoni before Nicoll Jazuli’s break set up Chizaram Ezenwata for a late equaliser.
With the game level at 2–2, the tie went to penalties, where Jack Sparkes and Richie Smallwood could not convert their spot kicks. CNG held their nerve, winning the shootout 4–2 to complete the turnaround.
Rovers nearly got off to the perfect start as Russel-Denny’s half volley smashed the crossbar from outside the box following a set piece. Bettoni had CNG’s first chance, driving past Ryan Howley before seeing a goal-bound shot blocked.
The Gas took the lead midway through the first half, as Ryan De Havilland found Aitchison on the wing, who drove into space before delivering a perfect cross for Rijks to convert from close range.
It was a half with chances being few and far between as both teams looked to knock the ball around patiently and wait for opportunities to arrive. Rovers nearly doubled their advantage as Quigley’s header across the box found Ciaran Kelly, but his effort was saved.
The Young Blues nearly found the equaliser as Jashayde Greenwood broke through, but some fierce pressure from the closing gas defenders was enough to put him off as he fired wide.
The Pirates nearly had their second as Quigley continued to win his battles, nodding another ball across the box for Rijks to attack, but a great save from Freddy Burnal kept the score at 1-0.
Southam-Hales looked rapid as he broke away down the right wing and delivered an excellent cross into the box, but Quigley’s effort went over. However, Quigley got his goal shortly after as Russell-Denny’s delivery found him unmarked in the box and his volley flew past Freddy Bernal to double Rovers’ lead.
CNG fought back and found a goal through Harrison Bettoni, converting a cutback from close range to reduce the Gas’ lead to one. In the 80th minute, CNG would find the equaliser as Nicoll-Jazuli broke in behind and cut it back for Ezenwata to score.
With the scores level, it went to a penalty shootout, and after Jack Sparkes and Ritchie Smallwood failed to convert their spot-kicks, CNG won 4-2 on penalties.
Bristol Rovers: Binns, Sparkes, Russel-Denny, Quigley (Harrison 68), Aitchison (Sanyaolu 68), Kelly, Rijks, Smallwood, Southam-Hales, Howley, De Havilland (Dewsbury 78)
Unused Subs: Young, Purrington, Gough, Omochere
Goals: Rijks, Quigley
Bookings: Quigley
Cobham Next Gen: Bernal, Subuloye, McMahon (Nicoll-Jazuli 56), Osagie, Bettoni, Gordon, Diakite (Richards 56), Ezenwata, Greenwood (Pennie 62), Waite, Dyer
Unused Subs: Osbone, Bell, Henry, Dako
Goals: Bettoni, Ezenwata
Bookings: Ezenwata
Attendance: 2405 (158)
