Bristol Rovers lost 2-0 to Oldham Athletic in League Two – here’s how we rated the players

Brad Young of Bristol Rovers claims a cross during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Oldham Athletic and Bristol Rovers at Boundary Park on 17 February 2026. Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK

Bristol Rovers suffered a 2-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic, with results elsewhere, leaving the Gas only two points above the League Two relegation zone.

Kane Drummond opened the scoring for the Latics in the first minute before Mike Fondop extended the hosts’ advantage just before the hour mark – scoring from the rebound after Brad Young saved his initial penalty. Despite having 20 shots, Rovers were unable to get on the scoresheet.

Bristol Live’s Bristol Rovers writer Will Murray gives his verdict and ratings on the Gas players…

READ MORE: Bristol Rovers loan watch: Hutchinson, Conteh, Ward, Dewsbury and HowleyREAD MORE: ‘One option that Ricky’s still talking to’ – Steve Evans on Bristol Rovers’ free agent pursuitBrad Young – 6

Young was really unfortunate to see his saved penalty fall to Fondop, who tapped into an empty net to make it 2-0. There aren’t many Rovers players who are performing right now, but the 23-year-old is definitely one of them. He made four saves on the night, including a stop in added time to stop Oldham from making it three.

Kofi Balmer – 5

Kofi Balmer has been a mainstay on the right side of Rovers’ back three in recent weeks, but had a disappointing game, losing the ball cheaply on a few occasions.

His long throws are a threat, and he could have had an assist when he launched one into the box to find Alfie Kilgour, whose header was well saved by Matthew Hudson.

Alfie Kilgour – 5

Kilgour was below par against Cambridge on Saturday and wasn’t at his best here again. He was unlucky not to score a header from the aforementioned Balmer long throw, but, like Balmer, he was sloppy in possession, including a misjudged backpass in added time that went straight to Oldham’s Luke Hannant, only for Young to make an impressive save.

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Tom Lockyer (off for Taylor Moore, 66′) – 4

Tom Lockyer returned to the starting lineup and was extremely fortunate to stay on the pitch after clattering Drummond with an elbow in the 28th minute. Defensively, the Welsh centre-back looked rusty, and he was withdrawn five minutes after the hour mark.

Joel Senior – 5

Joel Senior made his first start since the 1-0 defeat at MK Dons on January 27. He gave away the second-half penalty, which was perhaps harshly awarded by referee Scott Oldham. Apart from a couple of dangerous crosses, the right wing-back didn’t have too much impact on the game.

Luke Thomas – 5.5

After missing out on the previous two matchdays, Luke Thomas came into the starting lineup to replace the suspended Jack Sparkes. Given that he was playing out of position and has not played any minutes since mid-January, the number 11 was relatively solid on the left-hand side in a defensive sense.

Luke Thomas of Bristol Rovers crosses the ball during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Oldham Athletic and Bristol Rovers at Boundary Park on 17 February 2026. Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK

He did miss a big chance in the first-half, though, when Fabrizio Cavegn laid the ball back to him before he smashed it over the bar from inside the box. I suspect Evans will stick with Thomas in this role on Saturday if the back three continues.

Richie Smallwood – 6.5

Richie Smallwood made his first Rovers start, and Evans said post-match, “I thought Richie Smallwood was the best player in the park by 10 miles. He got control of the middle of the park, and we bounced off him.”

The experienced midfielder won a couple of important sliding tackles and kept it ticking for Rovers as they knocked on the door. In a relegation battle, you need players like Smallwood, and you feel he will start again on Saturday.

Kane Thompson-Sommers – 6

Since starting two games in a row for the Gas, Kane Thompson-Sommers has only played 12 minutes in the last five matches. He partnered with Smallwood from the start for this one, though, and was an energetic figure, whose shooting left a lot to be desired.

Thompson-Sommers had six shots on the night, with only one on target. Despite this, he showed some glimpses of energy in the middle and combined well with the likes of Smallwood and Tommy Leigh at times.

Tommy Leigh – 6.5

On a night of few positives, I thought Leigh was one of them. He kept his starting place as the number ten and was bright in and out of possession. He completed five out of six dribbles and was instrumental in Rovers’ chance creation, with the visitors registering 20 shots without scoring.

Fabrizio Cavegn (off for Mees Rijks, 72′) – 5

Fabrizio Cavegn will be wondering when he’ll get a break. The last time he didn’t start for Rovers was the Vertu Trophy Round of 32 clash against Cambridge United on December 2, 2025. As a result, he looks tired and is struggling to make an impact, including in this one.

His best moment came when he held the ball up and laid it back to Thomas, who fired over from inside the box. The Swiss striker might need a rest.

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Joe Quigley (off for Ellis Harrison, 72′) – 6

Understandably, when analysing Joe Quigley’s performance, it’s hard to ignore the header from close range in the first-half that missed the target. Apart from that, he did what he does best. Quigley won 11 duels, the most of any player on the pitch, and his hold-up play was impressive again. There are bigger problems than the 29-year-old right now.

Joe Quigley of Bristol Rovers heads the ball during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Oldham Athletic and Bristol Rovers at Boundary Park on 17 February 2026. Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK

Substitutes:Taylor Moore – 6

Moore was relatively solid when he came on, winning both of his aerial duels during his 24th-minute cameo. With Lockyer potentially injured for Saturday, he might be required again from the start against Grimsby Town.

Ellis Harrison – 6

Ellis Harrison held the ball up well and tried his best to make something happen during his brief cameo. He is a strong option to start on Saturday, if Cavegn is rested.

Mees Rijks – 6

Like Harrison, Mees Rijks was energetic up front, but Rovers ran out of ideas in the closing stages. He didn’t receive too much service in the closing stages.

Yusuf Akhamrich – 6

Yusuf Akhamrich came on as a left wing-back and had a few nice touches, along with two shots. Feels like he has to start against Grimsby.

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