Aaron Collins is sure the best is yet to come from Bristol Rovers’ “top quality” squad after the Gas left it late to beat Hartlepool United and secure back-to-back League Two wins at the Mem on Saturday.
After a 35-day absence from league action, and seven days removed from a spirited FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship Peterborough United, Rovers were sluggish for much of the game, but goals from Collins and Antony Evans in the final seven minutes earned the Gas a valuable three points.
Joey Barton made seven changes from last weekend’s defeat to Peterborough, with Connor Taylor, Alfie Kilgour and Josh Grant all returning from lengthy injury lay-offs.
And the lack of competitive football, for not just those back from injury but the whole squad over the Christmas period, was telling as Hartlepool enjoyed periods of control in the game.
But James Belshaw’s heroics in goal kept Rovers level and he was rewarded in the 87th minute when Collins a loose ball into the roof of the net before Evans sealed the points in stoppage time with a delightful free-kick.
After the game, Collins – who struck his fifth goal in four games – acknowledged the Gas weren’t at their best and was quick to praise all of his teammates for digging in and coming away with the win.
“It’s exciting times because the squad we have up there is top quality,” said Collins. “We just need to mesh together now, get the team bonding and hopefully go on a run.
“Bolton did it last year and we believe now that we can go and win six, seven on the bounce. Even if we lose one in between, if we go and get those wins, we know we’ll be up there in no time.
“We might not have put the best performance in today, and It wasn’t the best game, but we kept a clean sheet and there’s always that chance to go and get a goal late on and we did and we got the three points.”
Minus Belshaw in between the sticks, Collins was Rovers’ best player on the day. In the first half, many in blue and white quarters were off the pace, but Collins regularly caused the visitors problems with his direct running.
His impact waned in the second 45 until he popped up three minutes from time in the right place at the right time to blast home the opening goal.
And the Welshman admitted again his impressive streak of goals is all down to confidence and has his sights set on his next target.
“I waited a long time for that first goal, but once it comes, it’s just about confidence,” he said. "Once you hit the back of the net as a striker, it just flows from there.t.
“It’s crazy because I’ve scored five in four and then, obviously, I had the one before that against Oxford and now I’m top goal-scorer.
“It’s nice to be that person and I want to kick on and get double figures as soon as possible and get as many goals for the team as I can.”
Understandably, Collins is receiving the plaudits for his massive upturn in form in front of goal which has seen the Gas win points after the 75th minute in their last two league games, something they didn’t manage at all last season.
However, there are plenty of other members of the squad enjoying some excellent form, and Collins praised two in particular for their part in Saturday’s triumph.
“Belly has made a magnificent save in the 80th minute and then we obviously go and win,” he said.
“Credit to him, we would have conceded so many more goals if it wasn’t for him. The fans love him too and credit to that because he’s been putting in some great performances.
“I said to Evo (Antony Evans) I need to start winning more free-kicks because it’s getting him goals.
"Credit to him, he’s gone and put his last two free-kicks in the last two league games in the stanchion and I’m buzzing for him as well.”
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