Brad Young believes a mixture of everything is behind Bristol Rovers' impressive form at The Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates' professional 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley was their sixth victory in seven outings at home, with a fast start in both halves helping Rovers to all three points over John Doolan's men.
Riley Harbottle broke the deadlock, heading in Kofi Balmer's impressive long throw-in for his first goal in the blue-and-white quarters. With the scoreline still tight, Jack Sparkes extended the Gas' lead soon after the break, curling a clever free-kick into the bottom left corner.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Young was pleased with the victory and his seventh clean sheet of the campaign in all competitions.
Brad, another vital victory at The Mem here today. How do you reflect on it?
“It was brilliant. In the first half, we grinded out tough conditions. I think I had two left boots on in the first half, but the lads were solid in front of us. We came in at half-time and said that we knew we had to be better. There were a couple of blips in concentration and things, which gave them a glimpse of hope, but then in the second half, we came out and grounded out a great win.”
The first goal is always important. So, six minutes in sort of gives you that early control.
“Definitely. We’ve said that before going out, when we score first, it gives us that confidence. It gets the crowd up, and it gives us a great starting point in the game."
In the second half, Jack gets the second as well. What were your views on the free-kick?
"He's behind the camera. He's done well, to be fair and noticed that the wall was a bit out of place. It was a good finish, well done, Jack. That gave us that extra goal and that cushion, but we knew we had to stay switched on to grind it out and get another clean sheet."
I know you were at the other side of the pitch, but the last six goals have all come from different scores. So, is that what you need as a team, whether you’re at the top or the bottom of the league, for everyone to really contribute.
“Absolutely. Centre-halfs have scored, strikers have scored, everyone is in it together. We’ve got a great group, great
I know you were on the other side of the pitch, but the last six goals have all come from different players. So, is that what you need as a team, whether you’re at the top or the bottom of the league, for everyone to really contribute?
“Absolutely. Centre-backs have scored, strikers have scored, everyone is in it together. We’ve got a great group, great togetherness, and we're all chipping in. It's been brilliant."
How important was it to keep the concentration for you, because there were not a lot of saves to make, but they could score one goal, and anything can happen.
“That’s a big part of the goalkeeper, staying switched on. I knew that in the 92nd minute, they could have had a shot; you lose the clean sheet.
"It’s something that the defenders and I have spoken about in front of us. Staying switched on and staying calm, and then a clean sheet. Happy days.”
Six wins in seven at the Mem. What’s been behind this recent home form, that’s completely turned around?
“I think it’s a bit of everything. Obviously, the crowd have been brilliant, they get behind us, and I think we’ve been on the front foot, and we’ve had some big moments, some great strikes and things.
“Everyone has just knitted together nicely; we’ve really kicked on. A mixture of the crowd, and we know when the crowd is up, it’s a very hard place to come and play against.”
I guess a strong bit of home form gives you a great foundation away, so when you go to places like Barrow and Gillingham, you’ve got the confidence of winning games to start with as well.
“Definitely, that’s a big thing. Obviously, earlier in the season, we weren’t winning those games at home. I think when you go to those tough places, as you mentioned, it’s hard because straight away you’re looking for things, and when you’re not in a natural flow, and things aren’t running nicely, it’s tough. But I think early starts at home have been positive.”
It’s only a matter of days until the next game as well. I guess when you’re in this flow state, you just want games to keep coming.
“Definitely. We’ve got to recover and get ourselves right, ready to go again Friday, back here, and then recover again. But, yeah, it’s important that we stay together, that we do everything properly, be professional, and we keep kicking on.”
