Joey Barton admits he was surprised by the quality Ryan Loft showed to open the scoring for Bristol Rovers on Tuesday. The striker came off the bench at half time and scored the first goal in 3-0 EFL Trophy win over nine-man Swindon Town at the Mem, making it five straight wins for the Gas.
But it was the style with which the 25-year-old took the chance that was so eye-catching. After being played in on goal by Sylvester Jasper, Loft scored his sixth of the season by lifting the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Sol Brynn.
After a slow start to his Rovers career, Loft has become a real asset for his manager. Not only is the £50,000 January signing from Scunthorpe United contributing a goal threat, but he is an uncomfortable matchup for opposition defenders with his strength and hard running, showing exactly that by winning the match-defining penalty at MK Dons last week.
