The persistent efforts of Yusuf Akhamrich paid off as he secured the victory with the final goal in Bristol Rovers’ 3–1 win over Grimsby Town.
The Pirates got off to a fast start, scoring twice inside seven minutes, with Kofi Balmer thundering a volley into the bottom corner before Joe Quigley got his first goal at The Memorial Stadium with a first-time finish, getting onto Akhamrich's cross from the left.
Andy Cook tightened the score with his close-range finish just before half-time to set up a dramatic second half. However, the Pirates regained their control and added a third goal through Akhamrich to give themselves breathing space in the contest, going close to netting again through Promise Omochere before the full-time whistle.
Speaking to BRTV after the fixture, Akhamrich was delighted with Rovers' performance, with the quick start proving key.
"I'm buzzing," he said. "The team did really well today and can’t ask for more than that. The team gave a good reaction after the last game, so I am buzzing with the three points.
"The plan was to have a quick start, get on the front foot early, put them on the back foot, and I think we did that well, and to start with being 2-0 up is very, very good."
He later added, "If we can get the fans behind us early on as we did, then we always have a good chance, especially with the support we get at home. It is amazing, so obviously getting them behind us from the beginning is what we try to do."
Cook's goal for Grimsby could have given the Mariners the momentum to turn the game around in the second half. Nevertheless, Rovers responded strongly after the break, with Akhamrich being the player to restore their two-goal lead. The goal - his fourth for the Gas - came after Quigley’s delivery caused problems in the box.
When Kane Thompson-Sommers’ effort was blocked, the ball landed perfectly in front of Akhamrich, who kept his composure and curled a brilliant finish into the bottom corner to make it three.
"I can’t really remember it too much," he said. "But, I think the ball just dropped to me in the box, and I thought, just stay calm, just find a corner, and yeah, luckily for me, it found the bottom corner, so I was buzzing with that.
"I just thought I must control the ball, take my time. Stay calm, no need to rush, and luckily for me, it went in. It was amazing, I think that was my first time scoring in front of The Thatchers End, so it was really good, a really good feeling, and I was surprised how far I went with the knee slide. I didn't think I was going to be able to do that. But, yeah, it was good, I am buzzing."
"It is amazing to score in front of the fans and just hearing the roar. So for me, I am just going to do my best, trying to get as many goals in front of them as possible, and give them a lot to cheer about."
Akhamrich has played on both wings for Rovers since joining on loan from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, but played in a more central role behind Ellis Harrison and Joe Quigley against Grimsby, which he felt allowed him to move into different pockets to collect the ball and make something happen.
"I quite enjoyed it actually, I kind of got a free role in there, so I have kind of been able to drift around and get into little positions where I can receive the ball," said Akhamrich. "So it was quite enjoyable to play there, and I will be happy to play there again."
Looking ahead to the next week and aiming to build on a positive win, Akhamrich emphasised the importance of consistency and hard work.
"It is massive, we just need to keep training hard, keep taking on the messages from the gaffer and just keep doing what we are doing right now," he said. "We are in a good place after today. I feel like we are in a good place every time we play at home, so we just have to try and get some good form away from home and get some points on the board."
