Bristol Rovers’ ability to conjure up instances of brilliance at important moments has fired them to many of their victories since the turn of the year and Good Friday’s narrow –but deserved – win over Salford City was no different.
Following a similar pattern of play to recent weeks, Joey Barton’s Pirates controlled the majority of the possession and play in the blistering bank holiday sunshine and while more clear-cut opportunities were created by the hosts a decisive goal was proving elusive.
Antony Evans’ introduction on the hour mark understandably proliferated optimism on the terraces and he nearly provided the breakthrough but his effort six minutes after coming on clipped the bar.
Instead, it was Elliot Anderson who provided the moment of quality that put the Gas in front 15 minutes from time attacking the inside of full-back Jason Lowe before cutting his effort back across goal, beating Tom King at his near post.
The victory saw the Gas move up to fifth in the League Two table, five points off the final automatic promotion place currently held by Port Vale, who the Gas play on Easter Monday. Here are a few moments you may have missed...
Those post-match scenes
The scene on the pitch following the final whistle after a victory is always an interesting watch and on Good Friday it was no different, with plenty going on involving several players and some particularly fortunate Gasheads.
Immediately attention from the press box was drawn to Salford boss Gary Bowyer who stormed onto the field seconds after the game’s conclusion irate at the officials with particular words being dished out to the fourth official.
Emotions from a Rovers perspective were the complete opposite though with warm embraces all over the pitch. Noticeably Sam Finley leapt into the welcoming arms of Connor Taylor while Harry Anderson took on some pleasant words and a lengthy cuddle from strength and conditioning coach Tom Short.
In the background, a father and son appeared to have found a way onto the pitch from the South West corner and headed straight for Taylor with the Stoke loanee signing an item handed to him by the son.
The Mem’s seemingly final scene saw Barton give his usual three fist thumps towards the Thatchers Terrace with several taps of the badge and a reference to the four remaining games with a subtle point towards the sky, likely insinuating promotion.
But that wasn’t the final act of the day as Barton trotted back over to the East stand for a photo with a young Gashead who was stood over the barriers and on the side of the pitch, with Barton jokingly then pretending to leave the fan stranded just to the right of the dugouts before handing him back to his parents.
Gas legend in attendance
Plenty of recognisable faces have traipsed up the steps of the East stand to reach the complimentary seating adjacent to the press box and while there was no distinct member of the footballing world in the stands, a Rovers legend was present at the Mem.
Despite the fanzone being rammed with Gasheads ahead of kick-off, several eagle-eyed fans spotted Ian Holloway and stopped the ex-Rovers manager for a quick photo with the blinding sun making a delightful background.
Although it was most definitely T-shirt weather in North Bristol on Good Friday, Ollie was sporting a smart suit with a stripey blue and white shirt underneath but rather than coining his usual flat cap, the former Grimsby manager opted for a black top hat.
The Andersons' disagreement
In a frustrating first half where Rovers struggled to create opportunities with many of their attacking talents on different wavelengths and their struggles in the final third were typified by a disagreement between Elliot Anderson and Harry Anderson.
The Newcastle loanee drifted to the right touchline in an attempt to get the ball and impact the game. Luca Hoole picked out Elliot Anderson just beyond the halfway line and while holding off Donald Love, the teenager seemingly gestured to Harry Anderson to make a run down the line.
Instead, Harry Anderson wanted the ball played short. The teenager gave in to his wish, but the former Lincoln City man was unable to get beyond Ibou Touray.
The ending of that attacking phase prompted a lot of pointing from both Andersons as they continued to disagree about how the attack should have unfolded.
Elliot Anderson seemed to end the disagreement as he waved his hand away in frustration at his namesake, suggesting that despite his age the Geordie starlet is not afraid to order his more experienced teammates around.
The biggest ticket in town
A common occurrence at a highly anticipated Premier League match will be members of the public standing outside busy train stations in the hope that spectators heading to the game will have a spare ticket they can buy.
Very rarely does this occur in the fourth division but such was the demand for tickets, two people were slowly trudging through the fanzone shouting “any spare tickets” at regular intervals.
The official attendance came in at 9,590 (178 away), the second-highest of the season, with the club even opening up the lower East stand terrace, usually reserved for away supporters, to Gasheads.
And the extra few thousand in attendance was certainly noticed as the Mem roared for the arrival of both teams while Elliot Anderson’s goal garnered rapturous celebrations from all four corners.
Another Kevin Bond conversation
As has been referenced several times this season the contact book of Rovers’ first-team coach Kevin Bond could feasibly be in four figures and another name likely in there became clear on Good Friday.
The moments to keep an eye on Bond seem to be in the moments before both sides begin their warm-ups, throughout any stoppages in play or during the staff of both teams walking back over to the dugouts for the second half and for the latest iteration of ‘who knows Bond’, it was the latter.
For what was very possibly the only 30 seconds of Friday afternoon that Gary Bowyer wasn’t irate he was in conversation with Bond as the pair headed back out for the second period before shaking hands as they headed in differing directions.
Similarly, to the February 26 clash with Exeter City when Bond engaged in a conversation with Jonathan Grounds, there is no clear link between Bond and Bowyer despite their long careers in the game.
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