What a moment for Kamil Conteh to score his first goal for Bristol Rovers.
After 59 appearances across all competitions for the Pirates, the midfielder found the back of the net from close range to help the Gas beat Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy.
With the fixture heading to penalties after a goalless 90 minutes, the 22-year-old was at the right place at the right time to convert from close range after Luca Ashby-Hammond had dropped Jack Sparkes' corner straight into his path.
Conteh's last-gasp goal ensured Rovers finished at the top of the Southern Group B in the Vertu Trophy, guaranteeing a home draw for the Round of 32.
Speaking to BRTV after the fixture, Conteh reflected on his first goal for the Gas, which meant a lot to him after his serious injury last season.
“It's been a long time," he said. "Everyone is making jokes that it's a top goal, and I'm just going along with it. But no, it's good to be top of the group and through to the Round 32.
“I think from the weekend, I think the staff are trying to see that I can attack things in the box. So, I was just reacting and just tried to get it in.
"I'm happy with it. I'm happy to get my first goal, especially after last season with the injury I had. So, from just reflecting on everything I went through and to score, there are no words. I'm happy."
Rovers knew only a win would be enough to finish top of the Southern Group B and were given an almost immediate advantage when Kornél Szűcs was shown a straight red card for pulling down Bryant Bilongo, who was racing through on goal after turning past the defender inside the first two minutes.
The Pirates had a man advantage. However, Darrell Clarke's men had to change their strategy to get the better of a Pilgrims team that switched to a defensive approach to try and secure a point.
Conteh admitted the Gas had to get used to playing with an extra man in the early stages and was pleased they could earn all three points in the end.
“It was a tough game," said Conteh. "Obviously, them going down to ten men probably changed the dynamic of the game quite early on.
“I think it was just getting used to playing with an extra man, getting the ball forward and trying to create chances and obviously at the end we got the job done.
“I think for us, because it's quite early on sometimes when they get a red card, it's a bit [later] in the game, so things are quite similar.
"But because it was quite early on, it was just changing the mindset of what we were doing and to even do it but do it with more emphasis.
"I think we probably just needed to penetrate more and maybe take shots and just be a bit more clinical in the final third. But I think that will come as time goes on.”
Conteh’s stoppage-time strike helped bring the Gas to eight points, top of the Vertu Trophy Southern Group B. The victory means the Pirates will get a home draw in the Round of 32 and will face either AFC Wimbledon, Wycombe Wanderers, Cambridge United or Peterborough United.
Despite some frustration in the Sky Bet League Two games, Rovers have had success in the Vertu Trophy.
"The gaffer was stressing it yesterday about making sure we approach the game professionally and to win the game and get the home advantage, and we've done that," said the midfielder. "There will be people who are frustrated in terms of us [needing] to be a bit more clinical, but I think we just need to just keep working on the training pitch, and I think the goals will come in games to come.”
The Pilgrims spent two consecutive seasons in the Sky Bet Championship before being relegated to Sky League One in the 2024/25 season. Having had some frustration in the league, Conteh thinks that this is a step in the right direction.
“I think there were a few in that starting XI who played in that team [last season]," he said. "So, to test ourselves against them was good and obviously to win is even better.
"We just need to take confidence from that and look forward to the weekend and get back to winning ways in the league."
