Dan Nlundulu hopes there are more goals to come after his first for Wanderers helped propel the Whites into the play-offs in winning mood.
Nlundulu scored the first goal of his loan stay from Southampton to restore Wanderers’ lead at Bristol Rovers when his classy first-time finish put Ian Evatt’s men 2-1 up.
And it’s clear what the goal meant to the striker and his team-mates, who went onto secure a 3-2 victory which guaranteed them a fifth-placed finish and a play-off semi-final against Barnsley.
“I’ve been waiting so long for this goal,” admitted Nlundulu, who came off the bench to notch in his 10th substitute appearance in a Wanderers’ shirt before running to celebrate on the touchline with the rest of the squad.
“I’ve been working so hard and staying patient. I needed it. I think the first goal is always the hardest goal for a striker.
“When you get one in, hopefully the second one starts to come. As a striker all I need is confidence and it was a good day.
“Rico (Santos) has taken me under his wing, so to celebrate with him meant a lot as well.
“The players know how much it meant for me to score. They’ve been seeing me in training and know I’ve been working hard to get a goal, so I felt I had to celebrate.”
Shola Shoretire also celebrated his first Wanderers’ goal as the Whites finished their regular season at Rovers with an impressive 14th away success of the campaign and fifth win in their last eight games.
The focus now switches back home with Evatt’s in-form side facing Barnsley in the first leg of their semi-final at the University of Bolton Stadium next Saturday.
“This goal gives me great confidence, but it’s gone now. It’s time for the play-offs,” added Nlundulu.
“The pressure is on but I feel with the quality we’ve got in the squad, I feel like we’re going to do well. I have a good feeling.
“The quality of players we have and the variety in the squad is unbelievable.
“Not just as footballers, they are really nice people. It’s a great squad and the togetherness is there.
“The gaffer always told us take it game by game. That’s the most important thing to do. Focus on Saturday, hopefully we get the win and onto the next one.”
Pictures: Pete Simmons