Macauley Southam-Hales' match-winning, stunning strike for Bristol Rovers against Grimsby Town will grab all of the headlines, but the right-back was keen to stress that there is more to come from his side.
The Pirates were up against a Mariners side unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, with the hosts also coming into the contest just three days after eliminating Manchester United from the Carabao Cup. However, Darrell Clarke's men spoiled the early party atmosphere through Southam-Hales, who thundered a volley beyond Christy Pym.
Rovers had a lead to hold onto and showed their defensive spirit in the second half to keep their third consecutive clean sheet in the fourth tier, and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four games.
Reflecting on the Gas' victory, Southam-Hales emphasised that all of the players worked hard to ensure Rovers kept a clean sheet and said it gives them a platform to build from.
“It feels unbelievable,” he said. “Before the game, the gaffer said it’s been three and a half years since we kept three clean sheets in a row. So, to do that first and foremost is brilliant and gives us a platform to go and get the win. We know that if we keep a clean sheet, one goal wins the game, and it has turned out that way.
“The back four have kept a clean sheet, the whole team have kept a clean sheet, the subs that have come on have kept a clean sheet. I’ll keep saying it because it’s massive for us. But it certainly gives us a platform to build off, and everyone who stepped on the pitch, Taylor Moore, Ryan Howley, Fabrizio Cavegn, everyone plays their part, and even the ones who haven’t got on today have played their part, travelling and training. So, it’s massive for everyone.
“It’s a foundation to build from. The skipper getting a block in the end there and just celebrating moments like that and getting behind that is just as important as the goal in my eyes. Taylor Moore comes onto the pitch and does brilliantly, Jack Sparkes down the side, and Kacper Lopata as well. Everyone, to a man, even midfielders and strikers, plays a part in a clean sheet. So, it’s massive.”
The Gas earned their first competitive away triumph since January, with it coming against a team that captured the eyes of the world with their Carabao Cup upset win over Manchester United. The Mariners had also won both of their league fixtures at home this term, beating Crawley Town 3-0 and Newport County 2-1, demonstrating their strength in front of their fans.
David Artell's men had the better chances after the break, but could not find a way through Rovers' defence, and when they could, Luke Southwood was there to deny Charles Vernan. However, despite all the positives, Southam-Hales knows there is more to come from his side and wants them to get more goals to make matches more comfortable.
“There is still more to come from this group,” said the defender. “It’s going to be a long season if we do that, get a goal and sit back and invite pressure. We want to get the second, we want to get the third to settle everyone down, settle the fans down, settle the staff down and most importantly, us on the pitch. So, in future, if we can get that second and third goal and really put them to the sword, that would be massive for us because otherwise, it’s a long year.
One goal was enough to beat Grimsby, though, with Southam-Hales getting on the end of a cleared corner to slam his strike into the bottom corner. His strike was special, with the Welshman also giving Promise Omochere credit for his part in the goal.
“I’ll have to watch it back, I haven’t seen it, but it’s come off my foot nicely and into the bottom corner,” said Southam-Hales. “I think I’ll give the assist to Promise for jumping over it, but in those positions, I just thought, ‘what’s the worst thing that could happen?’ I could stick it into the stand or the goal, and it went in the goal, luckily.”
After a frantic August, with the Gas playing eight games across three competitions, the Pirates now have a midweek without a match, with Rovers next travelling to Newport County for the early kick-off.
Without a Tuesday fixture for the first time this term, Southam-Hales insisted it gives them time to build towards the next fixture.
“There are still loads to work on,” he said. “Next week is a new project, and we'll build towards that. We need to get fitter; we need to get better, as otherwise it’s a long year. If we can get the first goal next week and get another goal, it will settle everything down, and that will be brilliant, but there is still more to come from this group.”
