Bristol Rovers’ vast improvement since the turn of the year has been mostly down to their dominance on home soil, and while valuable points have been garnered on their travels there hasn’t been a controlling victory away from the Mem all season, that was until the Gas stormed the Lamex Stadium.
The ravaging impact of Storm Eunice the previous day that was still lingering had the potential to have a significant impact on the game and prevent the Gas from implementing their fluid passing style of football that was on show in the mid-week win against Sutton. However, for 90 minutes those blustery conditions passed, and Joey Barton’s side delivered an inch-perfect performance against Stevenage.
Sam Finley’s delicately curled effort gave the Gas a first-half lead, before Harry Anderson and Elliot Anderson both scored in the space of four second-half minutes while top scorer Aaron Collins rounded off the performance by netting his ninth of the season, tapping home the rebound after Ryan Loft’s wicked effort cannoned off the cross bar.
Here are a few moments you may have missed:
Barton and Wael’s long-awaited moment
After the dismal defeat at home to Swindon further compounded by the fact former Gas boss Ben Garner had masterminded it, Joey Barton was asked by Bristol Live if he was concerned that he may not be afforded many more performances of that fashion? His answer was simple. “I just spoke to Wael in the office and he is absolutely 100 per cent behind us.”
While many Gasheads saw this as blind faith from the owner and thus those lofty ambitions of promotion dwindle away with it, Wael Al-Qadi stuck by Barton and it would seem his faith is being repaid in full.
Following Rovers’ rampant 4-0 victory away at Stevenage, that meant Barton’s measuring method of 10-game blocks saw his side endure just one defeat, the Gas boss sauntered over to the travelling contingent and celebrated emphatically unleashing a massive roar and two powerful rises of the arm.
As the 39-year-old then made his way down the tunnel with James Belshaw alongside him, he was greeted by a man he has clear admiration for, Rovers’ owner Wael Al-Qadi.
The two exchanged a smile and embraced as they made their way down the tunnel on the eve of Barton’s one-year anniversary at the helm of Rovers after his young, confident new-look Gas side had dismantled Stevenage now managed by Paul Tisdale, who he replaced in North Bristol last February (something the owner also made reference to in a rather cheeky Instagram post on Sunday).
Barton has continuously and publicly expressed his gratitude to Wael Al-Qadi for his hefty investment in the club and patience after a turbulent start to the season, but with the Gas now just five points off the play-offs with a game in hand and a squad brimming with talent and confidence, the chances of Rovers’ season extending beyond 46-games is seemingly increasing with every matchday.
The Rondo highlights
Seeing Ryan Loft’s name on the teamsheet for the first time since the 1-1 draw with Swindon was a welcome sight for the Gas, with his physical presence a huge miss in his near-month long absence, but his return to a matchday squad didn’t get off to the best start.
While the starting XI worked with strength & conditioning coach Tom Short on the far side, the substitutes partook in a fast-paced game of rondo near the dugouts.
Luke Thomas and Harvey Saunders showcased their flair with some quick foot work but the eye-catching moment was the double nutmeg placed on the returning Loft.
The on-loan Barnsley winger decoyed a pass in the direction of Glenn Whelan before quickly changing his body shape, sending a soft pass straight through the legs of the January signing.
Incensed by being caught out, Loft rushed over to Leon Clarke, the recipient of Thomas’ pass, but, Clarke coolly poked the ball back to Thomas via the legs of Loft.
Despite it seeming like within an average of around four passes a new player was in the middle, Whelan remained on the outskirts of the circle as the Republic of Ireland international did not give possession away once, a small glimpse of the care and protection he takes when the ball is at his feet.
Belshaw proves why he is loved
James Belshaw has adorned himself to Gasheads since his arrival from Harrogate Town in the summer, with several spectacular goalkeeping performances and his general likeability making him a popular figure in BS7 and he showcased further why he’s so loved on Saturday spending some time with two mascots representing the Gas.
On his way back to the dressing room ahead of kick-off, Belshaw was stopped by two young girls donning quartered shirts, who each held out their hand for the goalkeeper to tap.
And clearly the shot-stopper had already made an impression on the girls even before he spoke to them on Saturday as the PA announcer asked both of them who their favourite player was in the build up to the game, with both revealing it was Belshaw.
Belshaw then reconvened with the two girls ahead of kick off, bringing them in for a group hug before he played a role in Rovers’ rampant victory, securing his third consecutive clean sheet.
Finley displays lesser-known qualities
On the ball, Sam Finley is undoubtedly one of the best players in League Two, with his ability to spray passes into the channels with ease a massive attribute for Rovers, but off the ball he is nearly just as valuable.
With the Gas one up courtesy of Finley’s curling effort from 18 yards, Belshaw claimed an overhit Stevenage through ball and looked to get Rovers on the move quickly.
However, with just two minutes until half-time, Finley had the presence of mind to tell his goalkeeper to slow things down and kill a few seconds, especially as Nick Anderton was still making his way back to the left-back position.
While he loves a strong tackle and at times has to be careful with his disciplinary record, Finley’s knowhow and decision-making in possession in high-pressure situations has been priceless for Rovers. Yet, more recently what’s been noticeable is how he controls the game without the ball.
At the Mem it is near-impossible to hear the voices of those on the pitch, but at the Lamex Stadium where the press box is very close to the pitch, instructions are far easier to hear and Finley was the one who could be heard the clearest, directing the play and instructing his teammates where to go.
Barton jokes with Nicholson
The attacking quartet of Aaron Collins, Elliot Anderson, Harry Anderson and Sam Nicholson were in fine form on Saturday with all of them contributing in some way to Rovers’ triumph, but perhaps the only complaint coming their way was that Nicholson was the only one to not get on the scoresheet.
In the first-half, he was perhaps the Pirates most dangerous attacker twisting Luke O’Neill on the outside and inside several times before setting up Sam Finley’s opener.
He also notched his second assist with a delightful flick into the path of Elliot Anderson which was rifled home by the Newcastle loanee.
The teenager then attempted to turn provider with a perfectly weighted through ball releasing Nicholson in on goal, but Christy Pym made a smart stop to deny him.
In the 70th minute he was replaced by Ryan Loft, and after being serenaded by the travelling Gasheads he was embraced by his manager and the two shared a brief word which was likely about how he should have been on the scoresheet himself, but with Rovers four goals to the good it was nothing but light-hearted as both departed the conversation with smiles on their face.
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