Bristol Rovers have made winning a habit at The Memorial Stadium, with Steve Evans believing the Pirates could have won by more than their two-goal victory over Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.
The Gas were fast starters in both halves, with Riley Harbottle breaking the deadlock with a clever header back across the goal to give the hosts the lead inside five minutes before Jack Sparkes curled a free-kick into the bottom corner in the second half to give his team a comfortable advantage.
As much as Accrington had bright spells, they failed to truly test Brad Young in Rovers' net, with the Gas looking more likely to go on and score again. The Pirates controlled the fixture and secured their sixth win in seven outings at home, with a packed Mem crowd going home happy.
Speaking to BRTV after the victory, Evans was delighted with his team's performance, the results in March and praised the fans in the stands.
Steve, a thoroughly professional win for you and the boys today...
"It was. Difficult conditions, I think we all accept it. A couple of things that really affect a football match in terms of outside, if you like, are really strong windy conditions and a frozen surface. It was a perfect pitch today, but the wind was gale force going down and across the pitch, which made it difficult for both sets of players. I think we acclimatised more in the second half. First half, obviously, we had a great start, scored after four or five minutes. Brilliant header from Riley, brilliant movement in and around him as well.
"The boys did their designated jobs; they moved well, and then I think the first half we sat off a little bit, maybe we were thinking more about protecting because we were against a gale force wind. I don’t remember too many really positive movements in forward areas, but no real threats defensively, either - the ball’s getting overhit and going behind.
"In the second half, we came out to a rousing reception from the supporters. The Gasheads, wow, unbelievable in full voice. It was a big attendance as well, one of the best of the season, because they knew how important it was, and it turned out to be with the other results. In the second half, we took control.
"I don’t think they had a serious shot at the goal. We obviously got the second goal with Sparksey, a well-worked free kick straight off the training ground, so that was great to see. Tommy and Sparkes used their initiative as well, and then we could’ve scored three or four, maybe five afterwards, without looking like conceding any. So, considering Accrington’s a team that in the previous 14 games where Bristol Rovers have played them, we won one. So that’s two out of 15 now, but you know I’m here."
You talk about the two goals there, two goals from set pieces. The throw-in and the free kick, that’s always pleasing to see.
"It’s something that gets criticised. Ricky Martin’s always on my case about set plays, and it’s one of the stats actually, where we’ve delivered against every other stat, and we’ve broken every record in terms of stats since Paul and I walked in, but the one that really frustrates us is the set plays, but it comes from accurate deliveries and it comes from movement.
"If you consider those two goals, it’s accurate from Kofi and great movement around him and great from Riley Harbottle, but I’ve seen Riley do that many times for Mansfield and particularly with Wimbledon when they won promotion last season.
"Then in the second half it’s just a free-kick off the training ground where we’ve worked quite a lot with Tommy and Sparkes and the movement ahead of them, and obviously they’ve done the goalkeeper with their movement, which is fantastic. So well done to the boys because that was a real commanding second half, and well done to our supporters, just absolutely incredible.
"We needed them today, but you look at the results, and I’m going to be the doom and gloomer. We are not safe; we’re not mathematically in this league next year. We need a big support at the Mem next Friday; we need a big support. I’ll be the first to accept that if we get three points next Friday, we are good and we’ll be in the Football League, and then we discuss it many times, but then we’ll see what happens with Paul and me, and we’ll see what happens moving forward, but our job is to just solely concentrate on Friday."
I just want to throw some numbers at you, gaffer. In March, that’s 15 points out of 18 available, and since the close of the transfer window, that’s 22 points from 36 available. It’s been a fantastic run for you and the team.
"Well, when I addressed the players yesterday, we looked at the league table that was showing that we were sixth or seventh since the end of the January transfer window, and that’s when you can properly be judged. One window from Ricky Martin and me to work together on, and Paul Raynor, we worked together on it. But I said to the players yesterday in the seven games we have left, if we win five of them, we'll top that table, but that’s how you build momentum going into the summer, and that’s the benchmark we’re going to set ourselves. If we’re going forward here, this will become a fortress just like it has since the window shut."
You mention the fans there, and I feel like we talk about them every single home game about how brilliant they are. Today was 8,800 in attendance, which is the best since the first game of the season, and they were right behind you and the boys the whole way through.
"They’re incredible. Everyone talks about the Thatchers End, but all around the stadium, they were incredible today. I think the Gasheads knew today was important. I think they’ve seen us go to Gillingham and get a win last week, and off the back of a home win. We need every man; let’s get 10,000 in here on Good Friday. Let’s get 10,000, let’s win and let us take centre stage in applauding the fans for their support."
