ST. PETERBURG, Fla. – Having gone seven games without finding the back of the net since his offseason move to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a two-goal outing that helped the side break a five-game road losing streak last Saturday afternoon helped pull a little bit of a weight off the back of Junior Flemmings.

With the pressure of the side having dropped out of the Eastern Conference playoff positions before its visit to Toronto FC II, getting a big three points ahead of an important home stand that starts on Saturday night against ATL UTD 2 (7:30 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+) was at least as important to the Jamaican international, if not more, as ending his own personal drought.

“It was great to get on the scoring sheet but most importantly to get a road win,” said Flemmings. “It was much-needed and it gives us a boost going into Saturday’s game. If we can get results on the road and continue on home performances, I think we’ll be high in the standings come the end of the regular season.”

Flemmings’ last competitive goal had come in last season’s Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs for the New York Red Bulls II, his 10th goal of the season across the regular season and postseason for the side. In bagging his first brace for the Rowdies, which added to Michael Nanchoff’s first goal for the club and what proved to be the game-winner by Hunter Gorskie, Flemmings helped earn a first victory for new Head Coach Neill Collins.

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After picking up four points from his first two games in charge, which shifted the Rowdies back into seventh place in a tightly-packed middle group in the Eastern Conference standings, Collins is still getting used to his new role leading the club from the sidelines.

“I’ve been able to get a couple more hours of sleep recently but I’m still struggling,” said Collins. “We’ve been doing the right things in training and I am confident that our guys will go out on the pitch on Saturday and play hard for a positive result. We’re coming off a very important road win which has given us confidence, but we can’t look past Atlanta as they are going to be a tough opponent.”

Now back at home for the next three games – including what appears to be a fascinating matchup on June 9 against fellow playoff contender Nashville SC – the Rowdies are hoping to make a move up the standings as the midpoint of the season approaches. With a 3-0-1 record at Al Lang Stadium this season, Collins is hopeful the positive mood and added rest that comes from setting up at home will translate into a second consecutive victory as Atlanta visits for the first time.

“It’s different to prepare for a game that is at home, especially not having to take the traveling into account,” said Collins. “I am glad to know the players will be rested ahead of Saturday, which is a very important game for us. We know they are a good team, but we’re focused on making sure we do things right on Saturday night and the result will hopefully come.”