Alfie Chang started life at Bristol Rovers brightly after registering an assist on his debut in the Gas' 3-2 win over Newport County in Sky Bet League Two.
The midfielder was one of four Deadline Day additions for the Pirates last week and was thrown straight into the starting side by Darrell Clarke against the Exiles. Looking comfortable at the heart of the pitch, the Birmingham City loanee assisted Rovers' third goal, lifting a clever cross over to Ellis Harrison, who nodded his header into the back of the net.
Chang's loan move to the Gas is his second spell in the fourth tier after appearing for Walsall last term, where he helped the Saddlers into the playoff final before losing to Wimbledon.
Now playing for a new side, Chang stated that he knew he would be starting after a conversation with Clarke during the week and believes his assist will help give him confidence heading into future fixtures.
“It was around midweek [I found out I was starting] when we started doing shape and stuff, aiming towards this game,” he said. “The Gaffer spoke to me personally, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
“We worked a bit on me running into the channel, and it worked. I know where Ellis is going to be in the box, so it’s just a case of getting the cross in to find him.
“To get an assist on my debut is brilliant, and I’m going to take that confidence going into the next game.”
Rovers claimed their third successive victory in Sky Bet League Two after previously beating Cambridge United and Grimsby Town, but the win over the Exiles was the most dramatic. After a quiet first half, the Gas surged into a three-goal lead after a brace from Luke Thomas and a header from Harrison before the hosts pulled two goals back in the latter stages.
However, Clarke's men got over the line to claim all of the points, with Chang pleased to start his life as a Rovers player with a win.
“I’m buzzing to take the three points, obviously, it wasn’t a nice feeling at the end of the game, it was very tense after they scored two late goals, but we got there in the end,” he said. So, it’s positive.
He later added, “The lads battled to the last minute and that’s all we can ask of each other and getting those three points, getting over the line, is going to help us later on in the season. Aiming for the top."
The Pirates would have wanted to make their win more convincing after leading by three goals, but a third one-goal victory on the bounce shows the Gas can get over the line by any means necessary.
Rovers' character in battling through opposition pressure in their defensive third and emerging victorious has been displayed in recent weeks, especially with back-to-back wins on the road, with Chang emphasising the importance of getting through difficult periods.
"When we’re under it and when we’re struggling, the lads are still winning headers, winning throw-ins, winning tackles, winning free kicks,” said the midfielder. “That’s what we need to do to get through the game.”
Rovers' win was well deserved for the Gasheads, who sold out the away end at Newport. It was Chang's first experience of Rovers fans, and he was not disappointed.
“They’re amazing,” he said. “They were singing, they were chanting, supporting us from minute one to minute ninety. So, we can’t really ask any more of them, they were top.”
