The Memorial Stadium has been back to its best in the last two matches under Head Coach Steve Evans, who was delighted to secure a second straight victory at home after Bristol Rovers beat promotion hopefuls Walsall.
On what was a cold, windy and rainy night at The Mem, the Pirates came out on top. The home crowd were up for it, and that translated onto the pitch, with every big tackle or chance in the final third greeted by a roar from the supporters.
With the score level at half-time, Yusuf Akhamrich was in the goals once again, giving Rovers the lead with a composed finish before Kofi Balmer lifted the roof three minutes later with a superb volley.
Speaking to BRTV after the fixture, Evans was pleased with the Gas' performance, highlighting individual displays and the warriors that helped the hosts to another clean sheet.
Steve, another win at The Mem. How does that feel?
“It’s a really, really good win against an opponent that’s a really good side. They have drawn three games coming into this, and I watched every one of them, and they could have won each of them. In the first half, I think the conditions made it difficult for both teams. I don’t think there’s anything in the game. Both teams had half-chances and little spells, but my words to the players at half-time were that I needed more; we were at 75 per cent of what we were on Saturday against Newport.
“To be fair, we started the second half really well, and we got a grip of the game. Ryan de Havilland and Clinton Mola started to run the game. Shaq Forde was magnificent all evening, and he had a big input. Obviously, we get the goal; it’s a brilliant ball. Shaq wins it with a brilliant pass, and when Yusuf goes through, you expect him to put the ball in the net, and he did. Then, we had a really bright spell, we’re on top of the game, we’re winning 50-50s, we’re turning them, we’reputting balls into the box, and then it is a really fantastic finish from Kofi Balmer. I’ve seen him do it once before, not ten, once before, and it’s a brilliant finish.
“I think at two-nil, we had it on Saturday, our boys had that natural tendency to defend a little bit, but they have got Aden Flint and other big lads. They are throwing them up front, but our captain, Riley Harbottle, Balmer, and Brad Young all stood up like warriors and giants in a difficult situation. I was surprised that we won more headers than Aden Flint did because that’s quite difficult.”
“After the win on Saturday, how important was it to back it up with another good win, but a performance to match it as well?
“The performance brings results. I thought the fans were absolutely fantastic. I keep saying about it, but when you’re here, and it’s for you, and you see what it means to them, there are grown men behind me, and the words of encouragement are fantastic.
“We all know that this Football Club should not be in League Two, it’s absolutely scandalous, but you are where you are for a reason, and that’s on the pitch. So, we have to go forward, we have to take a point or three points on Saturday and make it a really good week. So far, we’ve got to Tuesday night, and it’s been a good week, but we don’t want it to be a not-so-good week on Saturday night.”
When the score was nil-nil, every big tackle and chance, the fans were right with you...
“The fans have been incredible. You felt it when Yusuf goes through, there was an eerie silence if you listen to it and watch the footage, because they are waiting for it. I never had a minute’s doubt about what Yusuf would do. Yusuf stuck it in the net, and the noise levels went through the roof.
"Then, when Kofi’s went in, it was even more so. I’m really pleased with the boy's application. There is no doubt, the stats tell us. We have all of the measurements. They are running quicker, they are running harder, they are running further, they are running for longer, they are winning more headers, they are winning more duels, we’re scoring more goals, we’re conceding less, and we’re winning."
Five goals but also a commanding performance from the back for a second straight clean sheet as well...
“It was brilliant, and the skipper leads by example. The skipper won a lot of big headers tonight. Harbottle is simply a stunning footballer beside him and Balmer as well. They defend with their lives, and I cannot miss out on Jack Sparkes. He has been really good and has a wand of a left foot.
Yusuf is slightly more advanced on that left side, but we bring Joel Senior, and he can step in there. I thought Joel came on against Newport and was really, really good, and he was again tonight. Competition for places.
Finally, after two wins, I am sure you want to back it up on Saturday as well...
“Saturday is going to be really tough. Paul Cook has got a really good Chesterfield team; they are full of good players, and arguably, his two best ones have come back in. Cook is a top-class guy and a manager, and he will set his team up to give us problems on Saturday. Now, we need to decide on a shape and a style that will combat that.”
