Yusuf Akhamrich absolutely loves scoring at The Memorial Stadium.
The 20-year-old is on his first loan spell away from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, but has adjusted quickly to life in senior football, netting five goals for Bristol Rovers, all at The Mem.
The attacker is right at the start of his career, but he probably won't score a goal much later than the one he did against Crawley Town on Saturday afternoon. With the Pirates narrowly ahead in the sixth minute of additional time, Akhamrich raced down the right before lifting a delightful chip over Jacob Chapman and into the back of the net.
Brought on with 20 minutes to play, Akhamrich opened up on the simple message Steve Evans delivered before his introduction and suggested he had one thought in his mind when he noticed the goalkeeper racing off his line.
"He kind of just said to me, 'Go and win the game for us', because obviously, they had just scored," Akhamrich told BRTV. "So the momentum swung in their favour, so he kind of just said to me, 'Go and get a goal and go and win the game', and thankfully, I was able to do so.
"I remember Richie just heading the ball, and I just looked up and saw the whole pitch empty, so I just took the space, ran, and then obviously saw the keeper coming out. I just had to dink it over him, and luckily it went in.
"In that moment, I was only thinking about putting it over his head because he came out and gave me the option to just do so. If he had stayed on his line, it would have made it a bit more difficult. I would have thought about it more, but obviously, he came out, so I just thought, let me just dink it over.
"It was an amazing feeling. I just remember everyone running towards me and just jumping on me, and it's amazing scenes if I am being honest."
Ellis Harrison broke the deadlock in the first half with a fine finish before Mees Rijks struck four minutes later, getting on the end of Joel Senior's cutback to score his first goal for the Gas. The Dutchman has worked hard on and off the pitch, with Akhamrich delighted for the striker.
"I'm so happy for him," he said. "I think he deserved that because of the way he works hard every day. People don't see it in a training pitch, but I think he's deserved that more than anyone, if I'm being honest. So yeah, I'm very happy for him."
The Pirates had a comfortable two-goal lead at half-time, but Crawley, who are battling to stay in Sky Bet League Two, were never going to let the game go easily. The Red Devils had won two of their last three games under their new head coach, Colin Kazım-Richards, and got one back through Louie Watson.
Rovers had to stand strong to deny Crawley a leveller, especially after Tom Lockyer's red card, but the Gas held firm before Akhamrich sealed the win with his late strike.
Akhamrich knows the importance of his side sticking together during difficult times and praised the defenders for their efforts.
"I think that's the most important thing, just sticking together, because after they scored the first one, they got the momentum," he said. "The chances came their way, but the defenders made some great blocks and some important, vital challenges back there, so obviously the boys did well, and I'm just happy for them as well."
As previously stated, Akhamrich is on his first-ever loan move away from Spurs. Sometimes, it takes players time to settle in a new environment, but not for Akhamrich, who scored two delightful goals on his home debut in a 3-0 victory over Newport County back in January.
He has played 16 times for the Pirates and is thankful for Manager Evans, who has helped him during his time at the Gas.
"He has taught me a lot since I have been here; he's a top, top guy, a top coach as well," said Akhamrich. "He's just made my experience here very good and one I remember for a long, long time.
"I have gained a lot of experience, vital lessons that you won't learn anywhere else and stuff that you can only get when you're on loan. Steve's been about and managed at different clubs.
"He's good at what he does, so for me to kind of work with him closely every day was amazing for me, and I think I will remember him for a long time for that, and I appreciate him for that."
