Ruel Sotiriou insisted it was an ‘amazing feeling’ to score after Bristol Rovers’ 3-1 victory over Barnsley in Sky Bet League One.
The forward sealed the Gas’ victory with a late third goal for the hosts, getting onto James Wilson’s cutback to drive his close-range effort into the net. His strike came after Josh Earl brought the game back to a tense conclusion, with his header bringing the score back to 2-1 after goals from Gatlin O’Donkor and Isaac Hutchinson had given Íñigo Calderón’s men a two-goal lead.
However, Sotiriou’s finish helped Rovers to a second successive victory in the third tier, ending Barnsley's four-game winning streak in the competition.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Sotiriou reflected on an ‘action-packed' match and was pleased with the number of chances his team created.
“I thought it was an action-packed game,” he said. “I felt like they had a number of chances, which they obviously didn’t take. I feel like that’s the most we’ve created all season. I feel like it could have gone either way and luckily it went for us today.”
The win was Calderón’s first at The Memorial Stadium, with three goals suggesting it was a comfortable victory. However, the Gas had to survive an impressive start from the Tykes, with Josh Griffiths pulling out several saves in the first half to keep the contest level before O’Donkor’s header gifted the hosts the lead.
Sotiriou was full of praise for the goalkeeper, who he states has won Rovers games this season.
“Josh has pulled us out of the mud a lot of times this season, to be honest,” said the goalkeeper. “He’s won us games, and obviously, as then ten outfield players, we’ll try and help him as best as possible, but he’s an unbelievable goalie. We call him Goliath for a reason. He’s just a man mountain in the goal, and I’m buzzing for him. He’s a top lad as well."
Sotiriou’s second-half strike was his second for the Gas since signing from Leyton Orient in the summer, with his other goal coming against Barnsley in the reverse fixture at Oakwell. Discussing his goal, the attacker was delighted to score, joking that he was mainly surprised to see defender Wilson so far up the pitch to assist him.
“I was thinking why Wilson was up there again, to be honest with you,” he laughed. “Obviously, I took the shot, and it’s gone through the guy's legs. Hopefully, it’s a turn of form and confidence and maybe that bit of luck.
"It’s an amazing feeling. I got brought into the club to score goals, and obviously, it didn’t work. Now, the new manager has come in, and I feel like his style of play suits me down to a tee. So, I’m really happy."
Sotiriou has found himself back in the team in recent weeks. The Cyprus international had missed six of the last seven games before Calderón took charge on Boxing Day but has played all four games under the Spaniard. He suggested that the new head coach has given everyone confidence, and the players are enjoying his leadership.
“He’s just come in to try and give everyone the confidence, happiness in and around the camp, and I feel like the boys are really buying into it,” he said.
“I feel like everyone can see today that we’re more patient with the ball, and it shows getting three goals.”
