Bristol Rovers: Bryant Bilongo is written into Gas history books after Northampton Town heroics - view | OneFootball

New Bristol Rovers addition Bryant Bilongo earns hero status in victory over Northampton Town

Highlights

There’s simply no better way to endear yourself to your new club’s supporters than to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner that not only bags you three points but also breaks a horrendous streak of 12 seasons without a win on opening day.

That’s exactly what new signing Bryant Bilongo did when the wing-back come striker netted for Bristol Rovers in the 92nd minute to secure the three points in their opening League One encounter against Northampton Town on Saturday.

Bilongo timed his run to perfection to direct an in-swinging corner goalward, via a deflection or two, before wheeling to celebration in front of the fans with his teammates.

Nerves present as Bristol Rovers start latest journey into the unknown

It’s often expected that the opening game of any campaign can be a nervy encounter as new players continue to try to gel together and debutants of all ages attempt to handle their nerves and excitement as they begin their journey into the unknown.

And for Rovers, they certainly needed a little time to shake out any tension-retaining energy coursing through the lineup with six debutants starting the match. Including Bilongo, who was making his first-ever appearance in the English Football League. The youngster had previously only featured in the National League on loan spells from Middlesbrough Under 21s.

Bryant Bilongo's "best football day”

It was a dream start for the wing-back who, to the surprise of many, even finished the match against Northampton up front when fellow debutant Promise Omochere was substituted. The Gas, of course, are lacking in options up front with Chris Martin suspended and Ruel Sotiriou on his way back from injury.

Speaking to club media following the victory, Bilongo said: “It was my best football day! To do it in front of the fans on my EFL debut and in front of my parents as well. I’m delighted. Honestly, I'm so happy!”

On his goal, he added: “It was improvised. I’ve just swung around, and honestly, I can't actually remember properly, but it just bounced off my shoulder, and the rest is the rest. I wanted to jump into the crowd, to be honest”

Rovers have started their campaign with a 1-0 win in their first League One match followed by a valiant 0-2 loss in the first round of the League Cup, but can go into this weekend's encounter against Rotherham United taking confidence from two hard-fought matches. Despite losing to Cardiff City, the Gas produced a strong defensive display and were able to keep them at bay until the 68th minute.

They have, though, lacked a degree of cohesiveness up top with their attackers yet to get going. Some promising signs have been present when Rovers have been able to retain possession in midfield but they have then lacked that final and decisive pass to consistently threaten the opposition’s goal.

Omochere is still finding his feet in leading the Gas line as the Pirates await the return of Sotiriou and Martin. Luke Thomas and new club captain Scott Sinclair struggled to make their mark in the first two games, albeit the former looking a constant threat as he finds himself in pockets of space.

With two appearances under his belt, Bilongo will be pleased with his start but will know he has a lot to do if he is to regularly start. With all his attacking threat, he can get caught out at the back but does show a willingness and urgency to quickly win the ball back.

He will always remember his first appearance becoming an instant hero for supporters claiming the goal that broke the opening day jinx – as Rovers won their first game of a league season for the first time since 2011/12.

A decade of woes

Bristol Rovers' opening day woes have spanned more than a decade, with Steve Buckle's side's victory over AFC Wimbledon the Bs7 outfit's last on the first day of the season, though that is not through a lack of trying.

In most recent memory, the Gas came close to beating eventual League One winners Portsmouth last season but for a late Kusini Yengi equaliser to snatch a point for Pompey.

The Gas had also drawn five previous opening-day encounters against the likes of Bournemouth, Barnet, Port Vale, Grimsby, and Sunderland during that winless run.

Bilongo's late winner means that dreaded opening day woe is now confined to the history books and that he has his own place in Memorial Stadium folklore.

The hope now is that Rovers and the 22-year-old can use the late winner as a springboard for further success in 2024/25.