Grant Ward is hoping Bristol Rovers can climb up the table after the Gas secured a 3-1 victory over Barnsley in Sky Bet League One.
The Pirates were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup to Ipswich Town with a second consecutive triumph in the third tier. The hosts took the lead in the first half when Gatlin O’Donkor climbed above his marker to get onto Ward’s cross and power his header beyond Ben Killip.
Isaac Hutchinson added a second after the break before Josh Earl got one back for the Tykes, but Ruel Sotiriou scored five minutes before the end to confirm the victory.
Reflecting on the game, Ward admitted that it was a good game to play in and that his team had to work out how the Tykes were playing before they could start to gain control of the content.
“It was a good game and an exciting game to play in,” said the midfielder. “It was nice to get a win at home and get a few goals as well.
“I think we just needed to see how they played and just figure it out. I think as the half went on, we started to dominate a bit of possession, and we were creating a few chances of our own. Sometimes in the game, even at the start of the second half, we were under it a little bit, but you’ve just got to absorb the pressure and stay in the game.”
Rovers created plenty of chances during a very open game at The Memorial Stadium and netted three goals in League One for the first time since beating Burton Albion away from home in October.
After gaining a comfortable lead, playoff hopefuls Barnsley looked to have gained some momentum after Earl’s goal cut the Pirates' lead down to one. Nevertheless, Iñigo Calderón's men stayed calm during a difficult period to come out of the other side with a deserved victory.
Ward is hoping that Rovers’ attacking potency will continue and said that they may have struggled to hold onto their lead in recent months and was impressed with the character of the team.
“There was a point where we would not even get three shots,” said Ward. “I think we’re getting there at the minute. It’s nice to just see the boys getting chances, and hopefully, it can continue.
“I feel like one or two months ago, we probably would have crumbled and lost that game. But I think we just kept going, dug in, nicked another one, and the game was done.
“Form-wise, we probably wouldn’t have expected to get anything out of this one. But I think we always have belief. We’ve had a good week's training, and the game plan paid off. I don’t know if that’s the first time we’ve got back-to-back victories, but it’s a good feeling, and hopefully, now we can and climb up the table.”
Ward has started the last four games in all competitions under new head coach Calderón, with the former Ipswich Town man currently playing a key role at the heart of the midfield. The 30-year-old has been partnered next to Romaine Sawyers in the last two outings, with the new signing joining the Gas after a short spell at Wimbledon.
Ward has been impressed with Sawyers since he joined the Club and confessed that it is a pleasure to play with the experienced midfielder, who has over 400 league appearances to his name.
“He’s been brilliant,” Ward stated. “Obviously, he’s an experienced player. I’ve played against him a lot of times. I was saying to one of the boys earlier that he used to be a number ten, so I’ve played against him a few times, and he’s a good player.
“But he’s dropping a bit deeper, and I think he can dictate the game. It’s a pleasure to play alongside him.”
