Such is the tightness of the League Two promotion race, Bristol Rovers’ triumph over Harrogate Town pushed them into eighth and level on points with Sutton United in the play-off places. Yet no less than a week later, after a battling win over fellow promotion contenders Northampton Town, the Gas are on the cusp of the automatic promotion places.
Harry Anderson's goal inside 40 seconds after racing onto a slack back-pass from Fraser Horsfall and slotting through the legs of Liam Roberts put the Gas in front and after riding their luck at times with Northampton striking the crossbar either side of half time, Joey Barton’s side held out, notching their fourth consecutive victory.
On a lively and dry pitch, Rovers were prevented from implementing their fluid, front-foot style of play, but they stood up to the challenge against a stubborn and physical Northampton side.
Jon Guthrie’s powerful header and Mitch Pinnock’s fierce half-volley, which both cannoned off the woodwork, were moments of concern for the visitors but in the closing stages, the game management on show from Rovers was exquisite.
From James Connolly’s nous to stop a Cobblers counter with minutes to spare to Connor Taylor’s aerial dominance throughout the contest, this was a display of defensive maturity from the duo far beyond their years. While the entire squad's ability to win smart free kicks, led by Paul Coutts and Harry Anderson, relieved the pressure at crucial moments.
With eight games to go, there is no doubt that Rovers are the form team in the division and while many Gasheads were focused on just reaching the play-offs, a top-three finish feels increasingly achievable.
Here are a few moments you may have missed...
The jubilant full-time celebrations
Following the full-time whistle, the relief of those in blue and white quarters was evident as they sauntered over to the travelling contingent who had backed them for the entire 90 minutes.
Each player let out several roars in their direction with Sam Finley in particular joyous, driving his fists several times into the open air after a seismic three points in the race for promotion.
While those euphoric scenes were pretty hard not to miss, as each player embarked down the tunnel there was another group of people showing their appreciation.
Seated just to the left of the press box and directly above the entrance tunnel were the Rovers top brass, including CEO Tom Gorringe and owner Wael Al-Qadi.
And knowing the magnitude of the victory many of the players replied to their applause as they headed back to the dressing room with Connor Taylor raising his arms and clenching both fists in their direction and Aaron Collins, before departing away from view, gritting his teeth and pumping his fists in celebration.
Finally, after completing his post-match press duties, Joey Barton got to celebrate with the travelling executives, who had congregated around the entrance tunnel, embracing each member individually. His conversation with Al-Qadi likely included a word or two about ensuring he continues his pre-match Lasagne routine.
Finley’s fun following goals
Speaking to the press after the victory, Sam Finley made it abundantly clear that no Rovers player was going to get ahead of themselves despite the magnitude of three points they had just secured, but on the pitch, Finley is certainly someone who embraces moments of success better than anyone.
As previously mentioned, he was the player at the tip of the picturesque celebrations towards the away end at full time and he has also made a habit of being someone to look out for during a goal celebration.
In the win over Crawley, Harry Anderson charged on to an Antony Evans pass that was aimed for Aaron Collins before calmly finishing and when Finley joined the celebrations, he moved his hand into a fist and placed it on his forehead, imitating the horn of a Rhino referencing the nickname that has been given to Anderson for his powerful running and relentless intensity.
On Saturday though, Finley was impersonating a different animal for another Harry Anderson goal. After the slender win over Colchester on Tuesday night, many of the Gas players spent the following day at Cheltenham Festival and won big on the final race of the day. As Gasheads were likely celebrating in a similar manner to how Finley was after Facile Vega crossed the line first in the 5.30pm Champion Bumper.
Finley impersonated winning jockey Patrick Mullins by galloping over to the celebrations, bashing his legs as a jockey would do with his whip before being brought into the celebrations by his teammates.
Familiar faces reunited
In the reverse fixture at the Mem, former Rovers man Ali Koiki was making his 12th successive league start for Northampton after spending much of his time in North Bristol the previous season on the sidelines.
But a hamstring injury suffered in the Cobblers' midweek win over Stevenage prevented the full-back from lining up against his old club on Saturday, but it did give him a chance to catch up with someone who undoubtedly knew him quite well.
Koiki was spotted chatting with the Pirates' sports therapist Leighanne Kelly as the teams were warming up. Unfortunately, much of the defender's time in BS7 was hit by injuries, and it’s clear to see he has not forgotten the backroom staff who helped him.
A man of many talents
Nearly every weekend James Belshaw partakes in a moment that may not have been captured by everyone. His tomfoolery in the warm-ups tends to usually be a highlight, but it was something he did ahead of kick-off that caught the eye.
Upon making his way over to the goal he would be defending for the opening 45 minutes with Gasheads serenading him, Belshaw channelled his inner gymnast.
After throwing his bottle next to the goal, the former Harrogate keeper leapt towards the crossbar with his arms outstretched before somehow managing to twist his entire body, while still holding onto the goalframe, so that he was then facing towards the backs of his defenders.
It wasn’t quite his eloquent touches in warm-ups or his moments of composure in important in-game situations that are normally noted, but it was impressive nonetheless.
Smart lad
As a young football fan, it’s commonplace to commentate yourself playing football in your back garden and from a Bristol Rovers persuasion when it comes to banging in a goal, the cries will likely be of "Evans" or "Collins", but it seems the new generation have eyes elsewhere.
Following on from a mascot a few weeks ago naming Nick Anderton as their favourite player, there was another young Gashead who acknowledged the 10 clean sheets since the turn of the year as an impressive achievement.
As the players ran out onto the pitch, Connor Taylor was grabbed to get a quick photo with Rovers mascot for the day, Parker, who was also celebrating his 10th birthday.
He was outnumbered four to one by children representing Northampton on the day, but he got to see a Gas win while also getting a photo with his favourite player, who went on to put in a tremendous shift in defence, so certainly a birthday he won’t forget any time soon.
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