Gas Make It Four on the Bounce

Four wins in a row. That’s the simple headline, but it doesn’t quite capture the graft, the character, and the flashes of real quality that carried Bristol Rovers past Barrow at the Mem.

The first half belonged to the Gas, and for once, it was a midfielder not known for his goalscoring who lit the spark. Josh McEachran, still searching for his first goal in Rovers colours, delivered in style — or maybe fortune. His deep cross-cum-shot from the left somehow looped over Wyll Stanway and into the far corner. Whether he meant it or not, nobody in blue and white cared. His first goal since 2018, and the Mem roared its approval.

From there, the Gas smelled blood. Jack Sparkes, who has been a constant outlet on the left this season, whipped in a dangerous cross that Promise Omochere bravely battled for in the air. The ball fell kindly to Fabrizio Cavegn, and the young forward showed composure beyond his years to slot home from close range. Two goals to the good before half an hour had been played, and the Barrow defence already looked stretched.

The visitors didn’t help themselves when Charlie Raglan limped off injured, forcing an early reshuffle. Rovers kept their foot down, pressing high and moving the ball sharply, and the away end was already starting to fear the worst.

Of course, this is Rovers — we never do it the easy way. The second half saw Barrow rally, and it was Connor Mahoney, Raglan’s replacement, who gave them hope. Rovers switched off down the right, allowing Elliot Newby to whip in a cross that Mahoney guided neatly into the far corner. Suddenly, nerves crept in.

But where earlier in the season the Gas might have folded, this time they stood tall. Kilgour and Wilson cleared their lines, Tzanev claimed what he had to, and Conteh threw himself into tackles to break up play. It wasn’t pretty in the final 20 minutes, but it was effective — and when the final whistle blew, the sense of relief was matched only by the growing belief.

That’s four wins on the spin, momentum building, and the Mem beginning to feel like a fortress again. McEachran’s surprise strike, Cavegn’s poacher’s finish, and another three points in the bag. The Gas are on the march.