THE GAME
Rovers made it through to the FA Cup Second Round after beating National League South leaders Weston-super-Mare 3-1 after extra time at The Memorial Stadium.
It was never an easy watch though for Rovers, in spite of taking a lead into half time, a plucky Weston side played their way back into the game in the second half, scored an equaliser and caused a few anxious moments for Matt Taylor’s side before conceding twice in extra time.
Having survived some early pressure from their opponents who are based 25 miles down the M5 on the North Somerset coast, Rovers almost went ahead when close range efforts from Connor Taylor and Taylor Moore were scrambled away by the Weston defence.
Isaac Hutchinson was prominent in most of Rovers attempts to break the deadlock and he saw one shot headed away and hit another effort straight at goalkeeper Max Harris.
After skipper Scott Sinclair saw a shot saved by Harris, Rovers edged in front after Hutchinson raced down the left and crossed into the box where Jamie Lindsay fired past the Weston shot stopper.
The visitors started the second half in determined fashion and Josh Griffiths saved well from Dylan Kadji and James Dodd before the equaliser arrived on 64 minutes. Luke Coulson found Jordan Bastin in the area and he beat Moore before rifling a low shot past Griffiths.
The goal saw Rovers on the back foot for a while as Weston fought hard in the hope they could add a second goal. Both goalkeepers made outstanding saves in the closing stages. Harris kept out Bryant Bilongo’s effort with his outstretched leg while Griffiths touched Ruben Reid’s shot behind.
However, no further goals meant extra time and Rovers were ahead after only five of the extra 30 minutes as Connor Taylor headed home following Luke McCormick’s cross.
Two minutes into time added on at the end of the second period of extra time, Rovers scored the best goal of the afternoon when Grant Ward curled a delightful shot into the top corner of the net after being played in by Luke Thomas.
Rovers were glad not to be on the end of a cup upset, while Weston and their supporters did themselves proud and will resume their National League South fixtures full of confidence gained from this performance.
THEY SAID WHAT?
‘I’m delighted to get through. It was a difficult afternoon and we played a part in that. We got ahead and we were hoping for more to come in terms of goals and control in the game, but full credit to our opponents.
‘Weston never stopped fighting and had a real platform at the top end of the pitch with a little physicality. The other attacking moments from Weston were from our giveaways on an open pitch which is not worrying, but we have to understand where we need to be when we’re attacking.
‘Towards the end of the second half, and certainly in extra time, we seemed to gain more control and had more chances and I was really pleased with that. The most important thing was to get through and since we’ve gone to a back four the team has looked a little bit more connected.’ (Rovers manager Matt Taylor)
‘It was a tough game and credit to Weston because they came here and made it really difficult for us. These games are always hard. No disrespect to them but teams you are expected to beat at home can make it really tough, and they did.
‘But with extra time, our quality showed, and it was nice to go on and win comfortably in the end, but it took a little while. I thought they had some good moments in the second half. Credit to the lads, though, as I thought they defended two physical strikers really well.
‘The fact we were able to utilize our bench shows the strength and depth we have in the squad. In a lot of games this season the substitutes have come on and been really important and won us points.’ (Rovers goalkeeper Josh Griffiths)
‘Today wasn’t anything we’ve not seen in our league. Obviously, there’s quite a gap between the clubs on terms of league positions, but I thought our players did an incredible job to reduce that gap in quality.
‘I thought we did well, especially in that second half and that we were worthy of our goal. And, when we needed to, we defended and we always had a threat going forward, which is what we are all about, to be honest. However, you only get one opportunity in a game like this.’ (Weston manager Scott Bartlett)
