Smith at the double as Bristol Rovers ease past Cheltenham

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2019 by PA

Tyler Smith announced himself as a Bristol Rovers player by scoring two goals and making another in a 3-0 Carabao Cup first round win over Cheltenham Town at the Memorial Stadium.

The hosts took a 38th-minute lead when Jonson Clarke-Harris nodded the ball into the path of Kyle Bennett 25 yards out. His well-struck volley was parried by Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Flinders and Smith reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.

It was the Sheffield United loanee’s first Rovers goal and he added his second four minutes into the second half, slotting home right-footed from Ollie Clarke’s precise through ball.

Smith then turned creater on 67 minutes, breaking clear of the visiting defence and unselfishly squaring the ball to the unmarked Clarke-Harris for a tap-in.

A first half of little goalmouth action saw Rovers create the first clear chance on the half-hour when Bennett was played in, only to have his close range shot deflected over by the combined efforts of Flinders and defender Jacob Greaves.

Cheltenham failed to fashion a clear scoring opportunity and there was little to excite their contingent of travelling fans. Their one threatening moment came when Greaves headed over from a 47th minute long throw.