Bristol Rovers 3-2 York City (League Two)

David Clarkson and John-Joe O'Toole's goals inspired Rovers to their first victory of the season against York City at the Mem yesterday afternoon. Both teams had scored just 1 league goal in their previous 3 league games this season but served up 5 goals in a frenetic affair that also saw a red card brandished for an off the ball incident.

Clarkson hits brace in 3-2 win - Lifted from: bristolpost.co.uk

The game was just 3 minutes old when the deadlock was broken and it came courtesy of Clarkson, who had been restored to his natural centre forward position alongside the returning Ryan Brunt. Right back Michael Smith whipped in a cross from the right that was initially headed up in to the air before being hooked back across the penalty box by a York defender. Clarkson arrived to volley the ball beyond goalkeeper Michael Ingham and give the Memorial Stadium a massive lift. The entire team celebrated what was an eagerly awaited goal and from our play immediately afterwards it injected fresh confidence into everyone.

There were some good attacking moves involving the rejuvenated Clarkson, O'Toole, Brunt and makeshift right midfielder Tom Lockyer and Gasheads were enjoying seeing the ball passed along the ground. It didn't happen all the time admittedly, but it was a much improved offensive display. Alefe Santos, making his first Rovers start, was always looking to take on his full-back Lanre Oyebanjo but was rarely successful. The defender did a good job on him. Despite his inability on the day to truly get the better of his man, Gasheads were completely behind their new young star and offered him plenty of encouragement. It was to prove a huge help to his own personal belief later in the game.

The Minstermen did have their share of possession too though and tried their luck from range on a number of occasions. Winger Ashley Chambers was influential in most York attacks but Smith was unbeatable when one-on-one with his opponent and the majority of the time the visitors resorted to playing their way through centrally. Midfielder Craig Clay had an effort that flew narrowly wide of Steve Mildenhall's post midway through the half but that was about as close as they came to scoring in the opening 30 minutes. Rovers doubled their advantage with a neat period of play that ended in similar circumstances to that of their opener: Smith crossing from the right, the York defence unable to deal with it and Clarkson on hand to control and lash home. The 2 goal cushion meant we were comfortably in front for the first time all season and the players seemed to be enjoying themselves for the next few minutes which was nice to witness.

However things changed moments later. Substitute striker Ryan Bowman, who came on for the injured Wes Fletcher, shoved Tom Parkes in the back after Mildenhall had caught an Oyebanjo cross that prompted a confrontation from the no-nonsense defender. Both players raised their hands but the whole incident was nothing more than six of one half a dozen of the other. The situation was heightened by the fact both players threw themselves to the ground in a heap to rid themselves of any blame. Mildenhall, however, was sure that Bowman did something he shouldn't have and told the linesman in no uncertain terms that he should have seen what happened. Referee Gary Sutton sought the opinion of his assistant official and ultimately decided that Bowman deserved his marching orders. Parkes escaped with a booking, much to the relief of John Ward on the touchline and the game looked even more one-sided heading into half-time. Inexplicably though Rovers relinquished their clean sheet. Tom Parkes committed himself to a header on the right touchline that he ultimately lost, leaving Smith alongside him and leaving our defence exposed. York attacked Mark McChrystal, who did his best to halt their progress and give his team-mates a chance to get back and help, and their winger unleashed a shot that was blocked by Lee Brown but gifted an open goal to striker Ryan Jarvis who swept home. From nowhere the visitors were back in the game and it highlighted a complacency about the team that didn't exist at all last season. I personally feel it was nerves and an overeagerness to impress but fortunately we were still in front and the destiny of the 3 points were still in our hands.

The second half began evenly with both teams attempting to assert pressure on the opposition's back-line. Nigel Worthington's men weren't afraid to commit men forward despite only having 10 players on the pitch but for the most part they were dealt with comfortably. Rovers weren't really troubling keeper Ingham but they retained possession in York's half frequently and were often just a through ball away from creating a goalscoring opportunity. Totally against the run of play the visitors were handed the chance to equalise by Mr Sutton, who adjudged McChrystal to have pushed forward Tom Platt in the penalty box. Up stepped Jarvis who rolled the ball down the middle after conning Mildenhall into diving to his left. It was the striker's third goal of the season and meant that he remained the only York player to have scored so far this season. The game-plan from this point onwards for York would have been to get men behind the ball and praying for a counter attack to arise late in the game. Having thrown away our lead I feared they'd get their wish.

JJ in action - Lifted from: zimbio.com

Happily I was wrong and our response was superb. The ever-impressive Smith sent in another cross from the right towards the far post, Santos directed a header back across goal and midfielder O'Toole was on hand to prod home. The Irishman was understandably delighted and celebrated in front of the Blackthorn End in what I sincerely hope was the moment he kickstarted his season after a slow start.

Rovers had spells of possession in the final third in the remainder of the game but never really threatened Ingham's goal again when really they should have done given the counter attacks they had. Santos wasted a couple of crosses by firing them out for goal kicks while a Brown delivery was easy to snuff out when Brunt was waiting at the far post. York pushed for an equaliser and had a number of late corners that gave them the chance to send everyone forward. They were all dealt with sufficiently by a desperate Gas rearguard and the referee eventually sounded his whistle to the great delight of almost everyone inside the ground. The management team, players and substitutes were roared off the pitch by renditions of 'Johnny Ward's barmy army' and 'Goodnight Irene' as 3 points were won for the first time this season. The victory lifts us above York on goal difference in the early table and we already look in a much healthier position.

With Matt Harrold likely to return from injury next weekend to further boost the squad, Rovers finally look like they will have the majority of their squad fit. Northampton Town will visit the Mem next Saturday and will hopefully suffer the same fate as the Minstermen.

Up the Gas!