Despite Bristol Rovers' defeat to Harrogate Town at The Memorial Stadium on Saturday, it was a positive afternoon for Kamil Conteh.
The midfielder stepped out for a competitive fixture for the first time since the Pirates travelled to Exeter City on Boxing Day, with the 22-year-old suffering a serious knee injury before developing a bone infection.
However, it was not a perfect return as Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town at the Memorial Stadium after a goal from Stephen Duke-McKenna.
Speaking to BRTV after the game, Conteh expressed his disappointment and explained what went wrong during the 90 minutes.
“It’s tough," he said. "In the first 30-35 minutes, we had all the momentum going forward, corners, chances in the box and free kicks, everything we wanted. It was just the final bit in terms of getting shots off and looking like we’re going to score.
“After that, in the second half, we didn’t start particularly well; they got their chance, and they scored. We need to be better when we’re on top and taking our chances.
“We need to regroup and watch the game back and reflect on what went wrong and the stuff that we did well and didn’t do well, and to then take it in good stride and go again next week against Fleetwood.”
Bristol Rovers had a positive preseason, defeating Bath City, Yeovil Town and Oxford United in the build-up to the Sky Bet League Two season, and the team is still bonding together and getting used to each other on the pitch after nine new arrivals so far in the summer window.
“Through pre-season, all the stuff we worked on did come out today, it’s just frustrating to then not get anything out of it. It’s a tough one to take.
“For all that momentum that we had, we just needed to get something. We needed to make the most of the game, definitely.”
The attendance at The Mem was 9242, which was higher than the opening day attendance last season against Northampton. Conteh was quick to show his appreciation to the fans who came out to support the team.
“It was good from the fans; they all came in their numbers, which is good, but it’s just a shame that we weren’t able to get the win for them.”
As said previously, it was a big day for Conteh being back playing competitively for the Gas after his injury. Kamil was a regular for Rovers before his injury, appearing 22 times in the 24/25 season. A lot of gym work and training has Conteh feeling his sharpness returning for the new season.
“It’s been too long, those seven months. The first few were tough for me personally with everything I went through, but I’m happy I’ve got through it, and to be able to play today, it means a lot. It’s just frustrating that we couldn’t win. We go again.
“From the first minute, I was just happy to be there. The lesson I have taken from the injury that I had is to never take anything for granted—training, gym, match or anything—and just give it my all.
“From the first day to now, my sharpness has definitely started to come back, and I just need to keep going.”
