The impossible looks possible as Bristol Rovers continued their charge up the table. Another double header brought maximum points as the Gas stormed towards the League Two summit.
Rovers started the week knowing that a victory over Colchester would see them into the play-offs for the first time this season. With the teams directly above us playing each other, three points was required to lift us into the top seven. It was never going to be easy though, against a side that held a previously ill-disciplined version of Rovers earlier in the season.
Colchester surprised Rovers a little. They had a clear game plan and stuck to it well. The visitors were measured in their pressing; choosing the right times to close down Rovers players and lured us into making mistakes by forcing us to move the ball quicker.
They were efficient in their organisation too, with solid banks of four proving difficult to break down. At the other end of the pitch, they caused us more problems than I’d expected and could have scored on another night.
It was always going to take something special to unlock the Colchester defence. Step forward Elliot Anderson. What more can I say? He had one thing in mind when he received the ball and slalomed through the opposition like a skier on alpine slopes. He once again produced the magic when his team really needed it. His contribution was vital on Tuesday night and even more so in the context of the league table.
I was impressed with Antony Evans for different reasons than usual. He is more effective at the top end of the pitch, but showed dogged determination in his defensive duties this time. He typified the hunger throughout the team, proving to be solid in the tackle and relentless in his desire to win.
Rovers found a way once more when it wasn’t all going their way. Individual quality and a seriously strong work ethic saw us through a game that we wouldn’t have one just a few months ago. We fought hard, got our reward and continued the momentum we’ve built up in the second half of the season. Rovers had finally made the play-off spots for the first time after 37 games.
That nicely set up a proverbial six-pointer against Northampton, who were sitting in the automatic spots. We had a chance to stop our rivals in their tracks and push ourselves higher up the league in doing so. How nice it is for these six-pointers to be at the right end of the table for once.
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and impressive Rovers away followings. 1,400 Gasheads made up a quarter of the Sixfields crowd and were in fine voice from start to finish. Our initial allocation was sold out and we came close to selling the second allocation out too. Every time Rovers go on the road, our fans turn out in their numbers and are playing their part in our success this season.
Northampton represented a stern test for Rovers. They’re efficient at what they do – utilising the height in their team to their advantage and relying on the pinpoint delivery of Mitch Pinnock. They’re where they are in the league for a reason, but Rovers had already how to play against their kind of tactics.
Scoring with less than a minute on the clock sparked incredible scenes in the away end. Harry Anderson was sharp from the off and pounced on a mistake to finish brilliantly and hand Rovers the lead. I can’t remember us scoring so early for some time and the feeling when that happened was absolutely ecstatic.
The trouble with scoring so early is it puts you on the back foot. A good side will come at you relentlessly when they’ve fallen behind and Northampton did just that. They had the wind advantage in the first-half and fashioned a handful of good chances, but Rovers were resolute.
Rovers have James Belshaw to thank for their clean sheet. He made an unbelievable save in the first-half, somehow reaching a shot destined for the top corner and palming it away. I was sat on the line of the shot and it looked an unbelievable save in the flesh.
But his sweeping was the stand-out on an afternoon where Northampton pumped countless balls in behind. He was alert to all of them, beating forwards to every ball and clearing the danger for Rovers. He commands the defence so well and I love his professionalism – keeping warm by doing various drills to stay ready and keep alert. His passion is amazing to see.
Evans was at it once again with his thumping tackles. His dedication to the cause is unwavering and he is contributing in a different way in recent games. His tackles drew roars from the Rovers crowd and he was clearly pumped up. The physical side of his game has come on leaps and bounds in recent months.
Connor Taylor and James Connolly were immense at the heart of defence again. Both were absolute rocks. Taylor won every header, Connolly won every battle and Northampton had no route past them. The latter was impressive with his physicality, particularly given he is much smaller than his counterpart.
Most pleasing though was the collective unity on display at Sixfields. Players fist pumped when we’d won big moments in the game and the celebration for the goal showed a real togetherness and team spirit.
The final whistle was perhaps the best moment of all though. The players wore their pride in victory on their faces, with countless fist pumps, beating the badge on the chest and hugs all round too. I absolutely love these things like most Gasheads and I’ve watched the final whistle footage several times over since, along with that Sam Finley horse celebration.
Most importantly though, Rovers have put themselves fourth in the table with eight games to go. These are heights never believed to be possible for the first half of the season. We started the week outside the top seven and almost ended up in the automatics. We could well end up there at the end of this week too if all goes well.
Rovers have form on their side too. We sit atop the 5, 10, 15 and 25-game form tables. When you consider how bad the first half of the season was, that is quite incredible. We’ve averaged 2 PPG since 20 games ago and have even averaged 2.5 in the last 10. To have not just carried our form on but improve it, is something special.
Speaking of something special, Rovers will need just that on Saturday against an in-form Carlisle side. They’ve won four and drawn one of their last five and are flying under their new manager. But The Gas are marching into town with the wind in their sails, and will back themselves to beat any team they play against. Beat Carlisle, and something magical could be happening.
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