For John Kayes – Gas Dig Deep to See Off Salford

Some wins mean more than just three points. This one was for John Kayes, a loyal Gashead who sadly passed away this week. John wasn’t just a supporter in the stands — he gave so much to Bristol Rovers over the years and was a true part of the club’s fabric. His passion, commitment, and love for the Gas touched so many, and Saturday’s victory felt like it carried his spirit with it. The Gas family stood together, and the team delivered a performance worthy of his memory.

Sunshine, Nerves, and Southwood’s Save

There are afternoons at the Mem that remind you exactly why you love this club, and this was one of them. A topsy-turvy Saturday that had drama, grit, and a last-minute hero in Luke Southwood as Rovers came from behind to beat high-flying Salford 2–1.

It didn’t start well. Just 11 minutes in, Matt Butcher — a familiar face after his loan spell with us last season — came back to haunt us. He picked up a loose ball 20 yards out and bent a lovely left-footed strike into the corner. The Salford fans behind the goal were bouncing, and truth be told, the visitors looked every bit like a side chasing the top of the table.

Rovers couldn’t quite get going in the first half, chasing shadows for long spells, but just when it felt like we’d be heading in behind, Ellis Harrison stepped up. Deep into stoppage time, Southwood launched a free-kick forward, Kilgour got up brilliantly to nod it on, and Harrison was there to poke it home. Classic striker’s goal, classic Ellis, and the Mem suddenly had belief again.

Darrell Clarke deserves credit for his bravery after the break. Off went Taylor Moore, on came Kamil Conteh, and the Gas shifted to a back four. Immediately we looked sharper, quicker, and more balanced. That switch paid off just after the hour when Fabrizio Cavegn — who looks more and more like the real deal each week — bullied Adebola Oluwo, broke through, and slotted coolly through young keeper Matt Young’s legs. 2–1, and the place erupted in the sunshine.

Then came the chaos. Deep into stoppage time, Luke Thomas tangled with Jorge Grant inside the box, and in the melee, Haji Mnoga shoved a Rovers man to the floor. The referee pointed straight to the spot and brandished the red card. Suddenly, from a position of comfort, Gasheads were staring at disaster.

Up stepped skipper Luke Garbutt with the chance to salvage a point for Salford. But Luke Southwood had other ideas. Diving low to his right, he pulled off a brilliant save to keep the ball out, and the Mem erupted like we’d scored again. Moments later, the final whistle blew, sealing a famous comeback.

That’s now eight unbeaten and four wins on the spin. A proper afternoon at the Mem: sunshine, comeback, belief, and a goalkeeper who might just have etched himself into Gas folklore with that one save.

For John, who did so much for this football club, and for the Gas family — this win was special. Rest easy, John.