Bristol Rovers Women's manager Nathan Hallett-Young believes the tides are turning after the Pirates beat Ascot United.
It was the perfect end to 2025, with Chloe Bassett netting the only goal to help Rovers to all three points. After three straight defeats across all competitions, back-to-back triumphs in the Division One South West against Maidenhead United and Ascot have solidified their place in third, with the Gas five points behind Swindon Town in second and six off Moneyfields in third.
Rovers have started to build some momentum, but will now have to wait until January 4 2026 to play again, with the Gas hosting Bridgwater United at Yate Town.
Speaking after the win over Ascot, Hallett-Young reflected on the performance against a tough Ascot side before emphasising the importance of getting through a difficult patch.
Nathan, how do you feel after earning three hard-earned points today?
“I think really, really positive across the board. It was going to be a tough fixture; you saw it from the first game this season, they were passionate, they were physical, they were aggressive, and it was going to be a hostile environment. We knew what the circumstances were going to be as well. When they came to The Mem, the best way to show their support was interesting.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be a nice environment to be in, but we also knew that we had to be together, and I think that was the main thing that we really showed today. I think in the first instance, for us, we had to match the intensity, match the physicality and really show what we are worth, and we did that in the first stages.
“It was a great finish from Bassett for the goal, and I’m really pleased that it came off just simply because Wednesday's training has really shown that it’s worked and it’s clicked. So, it’s ideal from that point, but the main thing for that is the group has really stayed unified and managed the game really well through this environment.”
A win to end 2025 and another one on the bounce, and Maidenhead last week. How are you feeling about that and ahead to next year?
“The tides are turning. We had a bit of a rough patch, and the main thing is that we had to find a way to turn that around, and we had to get the environment back. Culture is a massive thing here at this club. It’s a massive family club, and it’s important that everyone across the board is unified. That’s something that I’ve got to make sure that we set as much as possible through the squad, the wider staff and through the group.
“So, I’m glad that we’ve done that today, and it showed. I think the performance was one that Gasheads can be proud of, and I think across the board, managing that environment as well as getting the result is the most important thing. So, it’s the ideal way to finish the year, and we’ll look forward to next year.
