Fabrizio Cavegn believes Bristol Rovers fought right until the end against Bromley, with the Gas beating the Ravens in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The Pirates knew they would be in for a tough challenge against a Bromley side who were looking to put the ball into the box at every opportunity and use their size all over the pitch to their advantage.
However, the Pirates worked tirelessly all over the pitch to score level before goals from Fabrizio Cavegn and Joel Cotterill gave the Gas a two-goal advantage. Jemiah Umolu got one back for the hosts, but the Gas held on to progress to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Cavegn was pleased with his team's effort and the fight they showed to get through a tough contest against a talented Bromley side.
"It feels very good," he said. "We said before then in the dressing room that we need to return, we have to fight, and we fought. It was a very important game and a tough game, and we fought until the end, and I’m very happy with the performance of the team.
“When there’s 11 more minutes, we need to win, and we fought until the end and that was very important.”
Goals are always important for strikers, with Cavegn finding the back of the net for the first time since netting against Walsall at the start of October, with his finish against Bromley coming with a special moment.
Luke Thomas, fresh from coming off the bench, raced down the right side of the box and chipped a cross over to the forward, who scored from close range with his first-ever headed goal.
Cavegn suggested that goals breed confidence, with his effort coming at an important time for the Pirates.
"I’m very happy, and as a striker, if you score, you have more confidence in your game, you’re happy, and you think you can score again, and to keep going," said Cavegn. "It’s a very important goal for the team and also for me, and also with the assist to build more confidence.
"I always try to be away from the centre backs," said the striker. "They are big, and I know my skills are with the ball at my feet, and I have to stay away, and then the ball comes high to me, and I was in the position to score. It’s my first header in professional football."
Cavegn added an assist to his goal four minutes later. The striker beat the offside trap and raced down the left, deciding not to shoot and instead driving a low pass across to Cotterill, who converted his first goal for the Pirates. The striker admitted he thought about going alone but could hear Cotterill calling for the ball on the other side of the area.
"I heard a lot of ‘Fab, Fab, Fab,' and then I saw the defender, and I wanted to go one-on-one, and maybe I wanted to shoot, but I wanted to assist him,” he said. “It feels very good.”
Hundreds of Gasheads made the trip to Bromley to help them through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup. Cavegn was thankful for their loyal support and was happy to hear his song after he scored.
"Every game, the Gasheads are very important," said Cavegn. "The support is really big, and I appreciate that. It’s really important for me as a striker, if I can score and celebrate, and they can sing the songs, I am so happy with the fans."
