Aaron Collins was delighted to open his Wanderers’ account ahead of a big mid-week date at Barnsley.
Collins’ first goal for the Whites since his January signing from Bristol Rovers wrapped up a 2-0 win over Cambridge United on Saturday as Ian Evatt’s men stayed third in the League One table.
The striker’s cool finish gave Wanderers a first win in three games as they bounced back from successive defeats at Blackpool and Wigan to stay within striking distance of the top two.
“It felt good. Being here now for five or six games it was good to finally get to my first goal and the win is the most important thing,” said Collins, who followed up George Thomason’s first-half strike as Wanderers racked up a 12th home league victory of the season.
“I want to be out there scoring and assisting as much as I can to help the team push on for promotion. But the main thing is we go and win. Especially after the last two results we needed to perform for the fans and for ourselves.
“As a team we all stuck together and we know we needed a reaction. It's a big one on Tuesday now and we've got to take this into it. We go there on a win, a clean sheet and two goals. We know we can score many more, so on to Tuesday and I'm looking forward to it.”
Wanderers face a Barnsley side just one place behind them in the League One table with a game in hand.
But the Whites know a positive result at Oakwell will keep the Tykes at arm’s length and lift themselves into the automatic promotion places with 10 games to go.
Collins could again be a key man with the Welshman admitting he’s starting to fully find his feet after the inevitable upheaval of relocating and settling into a new club.
“It's a relief. Coming in as a striker that's what you're meant to do,” Collins told Wanderers TV after making the most of his return to starting duty against the U’s. “You’re meant to score goals. There's the first one and I felt I was unlucky not to get the second when it was cleared off the line.
“But it's on to Tuesday now and hopefully I can take this form into the next couple of games and the remaining ones. Hopefully my football is improving over the games and I'm learning the way the lads play and the way the gaffer wants me to play.
“I still need to tighten up and be better in myself but it was the first goal (for me) and a good performance from the lads as well. We should probably have been up a few in the first half. We had the chances and we understand the frustration. We're a bit frustrated that we're not two or three up.
“But a goal in the first half, a goal in the second and the main thing is the clean sheet. If we keep a clean sheet were always going to win games, so I think it was a great 2-0 win and it's on to Tuesday now.”