Great scenes as fans finally get an away win to celebrate again
Talking points from Bristol Rovers’ victory against Walsall at the Bescot Stadium, by
ALMOST 300 days on from their last away victory, Bristol Rovers finally won again on the road.
The Pirates’ travel sickness was overcome thanks to a memorable last-gasp comeback at Walsall on Saturday, easing the pressure on manager Joey Barton.
There were periods when Rovers played their best football of the season, but - once the delirium of some amazing away-end scenes subsided - no one should be getting too carried away.
It was an important day for Barton and his players, with moments to savour forever for Connor Taylor and Sion Spence, who both scored their first career goals.
The reality, though, is Rovers ought to be winning games like this more often than not if they are to achieve their aims this season.
With so much pain and embarrassment suffered on their travels over the past 10 months, Rovers needed an away win by any means necessary and, at last, they have one But it is a small step forward in the context of the targets set by Barton and the club and their next away win cannot take anywhere near as long to materialise.
THE CURSE IS BROKEN
AT the 20th time of asking, Rovers’ brought their cursed run on the road - taking just four points from a possible 57 stretching back to December - to an end.
Victory came at the ideal time for Barton after a week of intense pressure off the back of the dismal defeat to Leyton Orient, which left Rovers clinging to a place just above the relegation zone.
There had been the odd nearmiss away from the Mem for Barton - Northampton and Barrow spring to mind - but by and large,
Rovers have been terrible travellers.
With little more than 10 minutes remaining, the streak was set to stretch. Supporters were losing patience again.
Rovers had played better than in recent weeks but still found themselves chasing the game until Taylor stabbed home at the back post to inject life into the Gas and the away end. The momentum was with Barton’s players, who sensed the frailties in a leaky Walsall backline and showed no willingness to settle for a point. In the first minute of stoppage-time, Spence - who was came on for the injured Harvey Saunders just 60 seconds before scored with his second touch to banish Rovers’ away-day hoodoo.
Several times, Gasheads have wondered whether their team had turned a corner only to be met by a dead end. This time felt different, with the Gas showing a level of resilience they have seldom produced in recent months. Only time will tell if that is the case, of course.
DESERVED DELIGHT
EXCLUDING the supporters of genuine crisis clubs who have stared into the abyss, few fanbases have had it worse than Rovers’ in recent months and years.
Narrow home wins over Oldham Athletic and Crawley Town gave the fans something to cheer about a few weeks back, but the overriding feeling has been one of deflation and disillusionment after landing in League Two after relegation with a graceless thud.
But for the 1,075 Gasheads in attendance, and the many more at home who endured the miseries of last season, an afternoon like this was the least they deserved.
Taylor’s equaliser was met with wild celebrates, but Spence’s win
ner - right in front of the away sparked pure pandemonium, a scene not seen since Tom Nichols made it 2-0 at Ipswich in December 2019.
Covid and Rovers’ inadequacies have combined since to prevent Gasheads from having a moment of delight on their travels.
Saturday’s win was desperately needed, but there is still a huge debt to repay to supporters.
YOUNGSTERS DO THE DAMAGE
BARTON put faith in experience when building this squad over the summer, but it was two youngsters scoring their first senior goals who secured the most important result of the manager’s tenure.
There is some irony in a squad that has been amusingly labelled ‘Dad’s Army’ getting over the line thanks to a teenager and a 21-yearold, but clearly, this is not a washed-up group of old has-beens.
There are young, talented and hungry players in Barton’s ranks and Taylor epitomises that in every sense. Spence, meanwhile, has been a goalscorer at every level he has played. It is no surprise his ability to ghost into the right place at the right time has translated to senior football.
‘LITTLE BY LITTLE’
AS the crowd funnelled into the concourses and towards the exits, it was apt that Oasis’ hit Little By Little rang out over the tannoy.
Gasheads know the feeling of the wheels falling off that Noel Gallagher describes in that song, but Saturday may be the day Rovers finally got back on the road.
This was an important milestone in the maturity of this squad, but it is merely a small step back on track for Rovers and their resilience at the Bescot Stadium cannot mask the cracks that remain.
Rovers’ tempo, control of the game and movement of the ball were dramatically improved, but they failed to convert countless visits into dangerous positions in open play to chances and goals.
It was a special day, but the Gas must be businesslike in their work.
PITMAN’S VALUE
WITH 75 minutes elapsed, Brett Pitman’s influence on the game was limited at best, but in two moments he showed he can be a valuable part of this team, even if he is a cause of frustration for long periods.
The veteran striker was isolated and agitated with few chances falling his way, but while speed of movement is not his forte, his smart darts at the business end of the pitch were a decisive factor in Rovers’ victory. The equaliser came from an inventive Pitman flick after he lost his marker at the near post, and the winner was the result of him just making a nuisance of himself and keeping the ball alive.
Gasheads will have to get used to this fact: Often, Pitman will be a source of frustration. At this stage of his career, he is going to struggle to exert significant influence on proceedings. But it is in moments, be it set-plays or poaching in the penalty box, where he can thrive and be a hugely effective asset for the Gas.