Tuesday night showed exactly what The Memorial Stadium was all about, and Brad Young was delighted the fans got to go home happy after Bristol Rovers beat Walsall 2-0 in Sky Bet League Two.
It was a cold, wet and windy matchday in Bristol, but that did not deter the Gasheads from coming down to The Mem and creating a ferocious atmosphere, one that Walsall found difficult to deal with.
Every big tackle from those in blue-and-white quarters was cheered, whilst any loose touch or wild clearance from the visitors was amplified by those in the home end, pushing their team on to make the most of it.
So they did, with second-half strikes from Yusuf Akhamrich and Kofi Balmer giving the Pirates a well-deserved three points in a game that only ever looked like going one way. Young was delighted for the team, but even more so the fans, who have been with the team every step of the way.
"It feels brilliant, back-to-back clean sheets, back-to-back wins is a good feeling and something that we have been working hard for," he said. "Obviously, the fans have been wanting it, so it is good to give them what they deserve.
"It was electric out there tonight, Saturday as well, backed it up. At times tonight it was one of the best atmospheres I have played in, it was brilliant and long may it continue."
Five goals in three games will take a lot of the attention, but back-to-back clean sheets give Rovers a great foundation to build from. Walsall brought a physical test for Young, but the 23-year-old was commanding in goal, getting to the ball first more often than not.
"It's a great feeling," said Young. "Obviously, clean sheets are not everything, but if us at the back can give the lads a clean sheet, it gives us a great platform to go on and win games and what we pride ourselves on.
"Looking at their profile of players, the style of play - I knew that I was going to be required to come and help the lads, take a bit of pressure of when I can and that's a big part of my game anyway, so I like to take the pressure off the lads, come for the crosses or whatever it may be."
Young was on the other end of the pitch when Balmer struck a stunning volley for the Gas to give the hosts a two-goal lead against Walsall. He trains with the Northern Irish defender every day but was as surprised as everyone when the defender found the top corner.
"I was just as surprised as every other single Gashead out there tonight," said the goalkeeper. "It was something by the boy, but if he has got it in the locker, he has shown us now, so long may it continue."
Young has had to be patient this season, with Luke Southwood often getting the starting place in goal. However, the former Leicester City man has started the past four matches.
"As I have said, just control the controllables," he said. "I have come in every day, worked hard and got around the lads. I would like to think I have been a good team player for them, and I have worked hard for my chance. Luke has been brilliant, but I don’t make the decisions; I am there, ready, when called upon."
Three straight games at The Mem conclude with a fixture against another promotion hopeful on Saturday. Chesterfield come down to BS7 on Saturday, with Young wanting to end the home run on a high.
"The Gasheads will come out in the number again, but Chesterfield are a great side, not someone we can take lightly at all," he said. "So we need to go, recover now, get our heads on Chesterfield Saturday, and see how it goes."
