Shaq Forde is one of many players thriving under Steve Evans at Bristol Rovers.
The attacker was pivotal in the Gas' 3-2 victory over Harrogate Town, netting the Pirates' first equaliser and having a hand in Ellis Harrison's first goal before the 32-year-old helped the visitors seal all three points with a composed effort from the penalty spot.
The Gas' remarkable comeback came after Ellis Taylor twice put the Sulphurites ahead, curling in a superb first before blasting in a second from close range. Nevertheless, the Gas were relentless and secured their fifth straight victory in Sky Bet League Two.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Forde emphasised the importance of the Gas claiming another victory, especially after a disappointing first-half performance.
“It was a massive three points," he said. "I think we were really bad in the first half, me especially, and then got a rightful rocket at half-time, but then I feel like in the second half, we had a bit more energy, a bit more aggression, and then we managed to change it on its head. Luckily, we got the three points and showed good fight and grit to get the win.”
Forde's leveller was the start of the Pirates' comeback. Rovers' No7 collected possession on the right before driving towards the edge of the box and shooting low into the bottom right corner, with his clever finish deceiving Henry Gray.
“To be fair, when I initially got the ball, I was going to give it back to Tommy," Forde told BRTV. "But it got stuck on my foot, and then I just rolled him, and I saw the gap that had opened up. So, I’ve just gone and reversed it, and luckily, it’s gone in.”
Forde has been one of Rovers' star performers under Evans, netting three goals and three assists. The forward has gained plenty of confidence since the 63-year-old took charge in December, crediting Evans for the change.
“He’s been brilliant for me," said Forde. "He’s been really great for me; he’s really given me the love that I’ve needed, and I’ve felt like he’s been massive for me.
“He’s given me a lot of confidence. He told me from the beginning, from day one, he’s told me that he wants me to express myself; he’s seen me play against him with his other teams. So, I just think he’s given me full confidence to go do what I do and enjoy the game again.”
"I think especially for me as well, when I know a manager has his full belief in me, I feel like I can be my full self and fully express myself. I’m really enjoying my football.”
Forde's fine finish gave the Gas a boost, but Harrogate bounced back immediately, with Taylor netting his second to help the hosts regain their advantage in the contest.
Nevertheless, Rovers' heads did not drop, with the Pirates continuing to put on the pressure before scoring twice to turn the score around. Forde knew his side had to show a reaction and always believed his side would finish on top.
"I think it was very important, because they did score at a tough time for us, having just scored [ourselves]," said the 21-year-old. "I feel like we stuck in there and luckily, we kept fighting. I think we were always going to win the game, the way it was going. In the second half, we were on them a lot, and I think we managed to change the tide for us.”
Rovers' win over Harrogate was the third time that they have come from behind to win under Evans, also completing comeback victories against Crewe Alexandra and Gillingham.
The Pirates have shown plenty of spirit to claim victories in a run of results that has seen them lose one of their last ten games, with Forde knowing that his team are better than what they have shown at the start of some matches.
"We just know we’re so much better than how we start in a lot of games," said Forde. "We always unfortunately seem to start a bit slow at the moment, but I feel like we get the rightful rocket at half-time.
“We shouldn’t really need it; we should be better in the first half, but I feel like we get into the second half, knowing that we should be doing better, and then we start to put it out and show it. We know we’re a good team. We can put a performance together in the second half and get the win.”
The Pirates have won five consecutive games for the first time in over a decade. Momentum has been key to the recent success, with Forde wanting the Gas to end the 2025/26 campaign strongly.
"We say it every game, we just need to keep building on the wins," he said. "Obviously, we didn’t have a great start to the season, so we just want to be able to finish it as strong as possible and look over to next season.”
