Prior to kick-off today and I was a little concerned. News broke at around 2 o'clock that Michael Poke had picked up an injury and had failed a morning fitness test, meaning a recall for Scott Bevan between the sticks. I want every player that pulls on the blue and white quarters to do well and Scott is no different, but from what I'd seen of him so far, I wasn't as confident of a good result with him back in the side. Boy am I glad he proved me wrong. Mustapha Carayol also earned himself a recall to the starting 11, illustrating my point yesterday about playing with wingers on a better pitch as Rotherham's was today. An unusual stadium, but nice enough pitch... according to Mark McGhee! Regardless of who was and was not playing, I always get that buzz at kick-off time and as commentary got underway from the Don Valley, I felt 3 points was still very realistic.
I've got to be honest, for the first time in heaven knows how long, we sounded like we were making all the running in the game and were creating some decent openings. I was getting used to the sound of us attacking all the time and admit to half-leaping out my seat when Chris Zebroski was crossed to 5 yards out... he didn't convert and the ball squirmed wide, but at least we were asking their defence questions. Anyinsah then had a decent opportunity but, as I seem to recall the BBC Radio Bristol commentator Richard Hoskin saying, he 'sliced' it straight at pensioner Andy Warrington. We were rarely troubled in the first 45 and the fact Bevan had little to do was pleasing. Half-time and 0-0, everyone would have settled for that.
Second half was a slightly different story though - The Millers livened up a little and started applying some pressure. Lewis Grabban decided he was going to exert himself more and substitute Kieron Cadogan was deployed to inject some pace down the wings. We would have to be strong in our defending whilst also harbouring the same desire to score as we did in the first half. A difficult pendulum to get right, but we have Mark McGhee... anything was possible. It's weird how I'm getting excited about a good away performance, but it sums up just how little we've had to get excited about over recent years and just how refreshing it is to have a quality manager.
Other than a few shots from distance and a decent stop Bevan made from a Grabban chance, our clean sheet was in little danger. We didn't quite create as many chances as we had first half, but we did have a few dangerous counter attacks, particularly in the final minutes. Matt Hill had a volley blocked before Lee Brown had an effort tipped over by Warrington. We edged in to the final minute of the additional 3 signalled by the ref and I think Gasheads everywhere were pleased with the fact we were unbeaten once again and taking a point back to Bristol. Feelings were to change though a few seconds later...
The Gas broke with Matty Lund who got the ball out wide to Lee Brown on the left. The substitute looked up before firing in to the penalty box where Andy Dorman came to meet it with a firm left-footed effort that flew in to the bottom corner of the Millers' net. Ecstasy for Rovers players, management and supporters who jumped for joy, whether it was at the Don Valley or elsewhere across the world! Cue a loud chorus of Goodnight Irene from myself out the window of my bedroom, to which my dad joined in with from downstairs. The whole house exploded in to cheers and celebration, just how I like it on a Saturday!
It's not everyday Andy Dorman scores, so it must have meant a lot to him to score his first Gas goal in such dramatic circumstances. He and the lads will be celebrating on the way back to Bristol and who can blame them? It's another fantastic result, masterminded by the brilliance of Mark McGhee and Shaun North, who are quickly forming a formidable coaching partnership. They're making our club something to be proud of again and I hope you'll join me in toasting them tonight with a beverage of your choice tonight!
So, another 3 points and a free week heading in to a home game against Macclesfield Town next weekend. Sounds like perfect preparation to me.
Well done Gas, let's keep this going.
Goodnight Irene...
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