Bristol Rovers picked up another three points from a spectacular 3-2 win, with Darrell Clarke pleased after the Pirates collected their third straight victory in Sky Bet League Two.
After a difficult and cautious first half, with chances few and far between, the Pirates turned it around with a brace from Luke Thomas and a 72nd-minute strike from Ellis Harrison.
A second away victory for the Gas in a row showed the tenacity of Darrell Clarke’s side. Despite conceding two goals in the latter stages, Rovers held onto their lead and walked away with the win, with Alfie Chang also looking bright on his debut.
Speaking to BRTV after the clash, Clarke reflected on the Gas’ victory and the highs and lows of the derby.
So, Darrell, after a frantic second half, the game ends 3-2. How do you reflect on that?
“I’ve just said to my boys in the changing room there, don’t worry about the last 10-15 minutes, that’s on me. One or two enforced changes, unfortunately, we didn’t really have a midfielder on the bench, a few injuries and away with international duties.
"So, I’ll take that for the last 15 minutes. Nothing should take away the credit from the boys. The first half was a typical derby, not a lot in it, and in the second half, we got after them a lot more. We got three goals. It was disappointing to hang in there in the end, but the game’s about winning, and we won that.
After a really quiet and difficult first half, what changed in the second to make it so difficult?
“Football’s not easy, is it? It’s a derby game, listen, they’re on the back of four or five straight defeats, there’s no real quick play, everybody’s setting up the set pieces and there weren’t a lot in the first half and I said to the boys at half-time that we need to liven this up, raise the bar and get after them, because I thought the win was there for the taking. We did that in the second half and listen, unfortunately, we’re holding on there a bit at the end, but three valuable away points.
There were two quick goals from LT in the second half. How important were they to put Rovers in control?
“Listen, goals are important; they change games. LT's work rate has been outstanding, he’s got himself really fit this summer, and he’s taken his opportunity, and he added that little bit of quality. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t get a hat-trick. I haven’t seen it back, but I think the goalkeepers whacked it at him and he’s got a hat-trick there if they allowed that.
"I think forward-thinking players get confidence from performing well and scoring goals, so I’m pleased for Luke."
What did you make of Alfie Chang's performance?
“I thought it was outstanding, absolutely outstanding. I was so edgy as well because I was only trying to get 60 minutes in him today. He hadn’t played 90 minutes, I don’t think, all pre-season, since the back last season, probably the [playoff] final? I think he played 70 minutes in the final, but I thought today, he got around the pitch, showed glimpses of it, trained really well, so I’m pleased with it."
Three straight wins in Sky Bet League Two - does that show the intentions of Rovers this season?
“It’s not intentions, it’s just about winning the next game. You know how I work. For me, it’s focus on winning the next game, and you can go three wins down, but it doesn’t count next Saturday. You’ve got to try and win the next game, the next football match, and that’s the message I’m trying to get into my players. You have to win a certain number of games to be successful each season, so that’s three wins on the spin, great, but now that’s gone, now we focus on Barrow at home.
Finally, what did you make of the fans today?
“Listen, they’re great. Their support, they’re getting a bit of that belief back, and there’s more to come from us; there needs to be. Another good three points in the derby, so bragging rights.”
