THE MATCH
Darrell Clarke made six changes to his starting XI for this Vertu Trophy tie against League One opposition, knowing that only a win would guarantee his side a home tie in the knockout stage of the competition.
They left it until almost the final kick of the game before securing victory in a game that never really took off following a second minute red card for Argyle.
There was one minute 19 seconds on the clock when Bryant Bilongo was fouled by Kornel Szucs as he burst forward. The Argyle man was the last defender and so had to go and referee Aaron Farmer had no hesitation in brandishing a red card.
In spite of being down to ten, the visitors were never really put under any great pressure by Rovers and neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled during an extremely lacklustre opening 45 minutes.
The quality of football failed to improve after the break and it seemed certain that the tie would be decided on penalty kicks as neither defence was seriously troubled.
As we entered the fourth minute of time added on, Rovers forced a corner out on the left and as the ball came in it was fumbled by goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond and fell, invitingly, at the feet of Kamil Conteh who took great delight in scoring his first ever Gas goal
WHAT WAS SAID
‘It was an interesting evening. I mean, first and foremost, it’s a victory, and I think that’s the most important thing. Ourselves and Plymouth came here this evening needing a victory, and we’ve got it over the line, so in that respect, we’re really pleased for the lads and pleased for the supporters. Hopefully, it’s something we can build on. There are areas where we need to be so much better, but at least we’re getting ourselves into positions where we just need to connect that final bit in the final third. It is an area we must improve, and it was a similar story against Gillingham as well.
‘As a player, I played against ten men many times, and it’s not easy, especially against a team from a higher division, who I think started six of the same players that played tonight. It isn’t always easy, and it’s about us making the right decisions at the right moments. We flipped the shape a little bit at times to try to gain that numerical advantage in the right areas.
‘I’m pleased for the lads because they looked a bit down and a bit frustrated, but I think just reminding them that winning games is difficult in any circumstance at any level. I thought the support was fantastic as well. They really got behind the lads the whole way through, so that was really good. I am sure they are looking at this game thinking a red card and a goalkeeping mistake has cost them, but it is nice to be on the other side of that for this evening, and we are pleased because you can’t take winning games for granted.’ Rovers Assistant Head Coach Jon Stead
‘It’s been a long time. Everyone is making jokes that it’s a top goal, and I’m just going along with it. But no, it’s good to be top of the group and through to the Round 32. I think from the weekend, I think the staff are trying to see that I can attack things in the box. So, I was just reacting and just tried to get it in. I’m happy with it. I’m happy to get my first goal, especially after last season with the injury I had. So, from just reflecting on everything I went through and to score, there are no words. I’m happy.
‘It was a tough game. Obviously, them going down to ten men probably changed the dynamic of the game quite early on. I think it was just getting used to playing with an extra man, getting the ball forward and trying to create chances and obviously at the end we got the job done. I think for us, because it’s quite early on sometimes when they get a red card, it’s a bit later in the game, so things are quite similar.
But because it was quite early on, it was just changing the mindset of what we were doing and to even do it but do it with more emphasis. I think we probably just needed to penetrate more and maybe take shots and just be a bit more clinical in the final third. But I think that will come as time goes on. I think there were a few in that starting XI who played in that team last season. So, to test ourselves against them was good and obviously to win is even better. We just need to take confidence from that and look forward to the weekend and get back to winning ways in the league. Rovers goalscorer Kamil Conteh
‘Obviously, it wasn’t the prettiest game on the eye, but we got the result, which is all that matters. To finish top of the group, against League One opposition as well, is a good feeling. You’ve got to take this win now and look at the positives, look at the negatives and breed that winning feeling and take it into the next game.”
‘Against ten men, they’re going to be sat behind the ball, we’re going to have a lot of the possession, and it’s just about taking your time and trying to find a way to score rather than forcing it. Which I think we did a little bit at times, it wasn’t the prettiest goal in the end, but it’s all that matters, we got the win. It was windy, it was rainy, but that’s part of football. You’ve also just got to deal with it. I think you’ve got to look forward to every game. It’s a good opportunity to get on the pitch, even if it’s windy and rainy. You’ve just got to adapt to it.
‘I think it’s nice to just get back out on the pitch and get a start. I think it’s the first time since Cheltenham that I’ve had a really good run out, so it’s nice to get the minutes and the legs in and put myself back into the frame if I can. Rovers midfielder Ryan Howley
