Match Overview

Bristol Rovers won the Severnside derby 5‑3 at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The 26‑year‑old striker Bobby Kamwa, who rejected a new contract at Newport County and signed for Rovers in the summer, was the match’s standout performer. He scored the equaliser in first‑half stoppage time, the fourth goal for Rovers, and the final goal to seal the win.

Kamwa’s Goals and Celebration

Kamwa’s first goal cancelled a first‑minute strike from Harrison Biggins. Early in the second half, Rovers surged to a 3‑1 lead, but Shaquille Gwengwe pulled one back for County. Kamwa then curled a top‑corner shot to make it 4‑2 before sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate wildly in front of the away end. He dodged plastic bottles thrown from the stands before he and Ciaran Brennan were booked for the ensuing melee. Kamwa was quickly taken off.

Added‑Time Drama

Substitute Cole Jarvis headed in a third for County in time‑added minutes before Rovers wrapped up the three points with a fifth in the 99th minute.

Managerial Reactions

"Some of the comments aimed at Bobby have got no place in football," said Rovers manager Steve Evans. "I've got a lot of time for the ownership model at Newport County, and the fans – they've always been fair with me and give me a bit of banter. But some of them, maybe individuals, overstepped the line. So, when Bobby sticks a goal like that in…"

Evans added, "Bobby's got character and a bit of fight and a bit of spirit about him. I read his words in the press before the game where he said 'if they give me stick, I'll celebrate.' If they're not giving Bobby some outrageous chants, then I don't think Bobby would have been running a hundred yards to celebrate in front of them."

Exiles boss Hayden Mullins said, "That's Bobby's decision. He celebrated that way and I'm sure the fans let him know what they thought."

Mullins focused on positives, noting the team’s aggressive play and unity in the first half. He said, "We've got to try to take the sloppy nature of some of the goals we conceded out of our game. But I've said to the lads 'we're a good side,' and we've got to believe that. We're a strong side and when we're front‑footed and aggressive and a unit we're a tough team to break down – and we showed that in the first half."

Aftermath

The incident has sparked debate over fan behaviour and player celebrations. Rovers will look to build on the win, while Newport County will reflect on the impact of losing a key player to a local rival.