Promise Omochere scored twice for Bristol Rovers to help the Gas beat Cambridge United 2-0 in Sky Bet League One.
The striker sent Rovers on their way to their second consecutive win at The Memorial Stadium in the third tier, running onto Luke Thomas' pass before beating Vicente Reyes with a deflected strike.
His goal came after Ruel Sotiriou had two opportunities to open his account for the Pirates, slamming the post with his first effort before lashing another wide.
Omochere then secured his brace after half-time, latching onto a clever flick from Bryant Bilongo before burying his finish into the bottom corner to secure the victory.
The Gas started well and almost opened the scoring inside the first eleven minutes after some neat play down the right. Thomas played in Sotiriou, who raced into the box and worked space for a shot before firing his left-footed effort against the post.
![Promise Omochere](https://cdn.bristolrovers.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/20240831_RoversvCambridge_WC-217.jpg)
The forward was looking lively and had a chance soon after. He collected a pass from Omochere and tricked his way past a defender, getting to the edge of the box and lashing his strike wide.
The U’s defended the early pressure and had an opportunity of their own before the half-hour mark. Danny Andrew’s inviting cross from the left was flicked on target by Shayne Lavery, but Josh Griffiths got across well to push the ball out for a corner.
The visitors were punished moments later through Omochere, who netted his first competitive goal for Rovers. Thomas slotted a clever ball through to the forward, with Omochere rushing into the box before seeing his shot deflect off Connor O’Riordan and loop over Vicente Reyes into the net.
Omochere gained confidence from his goal before the break and doubled Rovers' lead after the restart. Bilongo's inventive flick fell to the attacker, and he protected the ball well before drilling his strike into the bottom corner.
![Promise Omochere](https://cdn.bristolrovers.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design-4_3.png)
Matt Taylor’s men had plenty of energy and pushed for a third to put the game beyond Cambridge. Thomas was a constant threat down the right on the counter-attack, waiting for support before finding Bilongo, but he blasted his shot well over.
Chances were then few and far between, with the Gas in control. Josh Stokes swivelling in possession and curled an effort towards the goal, looking to get one back for Cambridge, but he missed the target by a distance.
As the match headed into the final stages, Omochere received a loud cheer from the home fans as he made his way off the pitch and was replaced by Gatlin O’Donkor, who completed his move to the Club on deadline day.
Jake Garrett attempted to complete the win with a goal on his first league start, but his whipped strike from the edge of the box deflected off target.
Cambridge hit the bar twice late on, but the Gas returned to winning ways in the league, securing their third clean sheet in four outings.
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore (Sousa 81), Wilson, Mola, Ward (Sinclair 81), Omochere (O’Donkor 77), Sotiriou (McCormick 64), Thomas, Garrett, Conteh, Bilongo (Taylor 81).
Subs not used: Hutchinson, Shaw.
Goals: Omochere 30, 48
Booked: Taylor 29
Cambridge United: Reyes, Andrew (Longelo 73), Digby, Morrison (Brophy 58), Kaikai (Barton 58), Smith, Rossi, Lavery, Stokes, Gibbons (Njoku 73), O’Riordan
Subs not used: Stevens, Bennett, Okedina
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 7,893 (389)