Wes Burns's late, late goal ended a miserable week on a high as City stunned Boro to notch up a rare win.
Bobby Reid's 95th minute corner was nodded towards goal by central defender Aden Flint and Robins winger Burns claimed his first goal of the season when the ball skimmed off his head to complete the double over the Championship leaders.
City ditched manager Steve Cotterill on Thursday following a two year spell in which he rescued the club from relegation to League Two, led them to the League One title and won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
But Cotterill's young squad struggled to adapt to life at the higher level and he was sacked following a run of seven games without a win that left them in the drop zone.
Assistant manager John Pemberton and Under-21s manager Wade Elliott have been placed in temporary charge, but Pemberton revealed Cotterill was in his thoughts. He said:
"I'm a bit gutted for him. He loved the lads and they liked him and so I'm sure that deep down he'll be delighted. The lads were more than a bit down when they heard he'd gone. They were obviously shocked and I got a lot of phone calls.
"They've been knocked back this season and kept coming back for more and so it was nice for them to get this win."
It was the first goal conceded by Boro in ten league outings and boss Aitor Karanka said:
"It's difficult when your more important players don't perform. I think it was a poor performance. The goal could have happened five minutes before or ten minutes before because we couldn't leave our area."
Both teams had chances to break the deadlock in normal time.
In the sixteenth minute Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos needed to be sharp to claim Burn's close range cheeky back heel he had raced into the box to meet a left flank cross from fellow winger Joe Bryan.
Five minutes later Boro launched a carbon copy attack, but striker Kike failed to connect with a dangerous ball from central defender Daniel Ayala three yards out with the goal begging.
Less than sixty seconds later midfielder Cristhian Stuani cut into the City area from the right and Wigan loanee keeper Richard O'Donnell did well to get down to save his low shot.
In the 23rd minute left back Derrick Williams lifted the ball over the defence and Burns raced into the box before seeing his goal bound shot clawed away to safety by Konstantopoulos.
On the half hour skipper George Friend's run into area was blocked by Flint who appeared to handle the ball, but appeals for a penalty by Boro's players were waved away by the referee.
Eight minutes before half time City came close when a deep ball from midfielder Reid skimmed the head of team mate Nathan Baker and flew inches wide of the upright.
And the chances kept coming in the second period.
Central defender Luke Ayling teed up Korey Smith 25 yards out in the 72nd minute, but the City skipper fired over the bar.
Boro then pressed for the winner and former City winger Albert Adomah came close in the 81st minute.
O'Donnell came to collect a high ball, but Baker headed the ball out of his grasp and straight to Adomah who lifted the ball over the bar from the edge of the bar.
In the 89th minute Flint nodded a Bryan free kick against the bar from two yards out and City must have thought their chance of a shock win had gone until Burns's last gasp winner.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Sunday 17 January 2016
Bristol Rovers 2 Luton Town 0 - Archive
Rory Gaffney's second brace in consecutive games could seal a deal with promotion chasing Rovers.
Striker Gaffney netted a pair against Orient on Tuesday and has now scored five goals during a one month loan deal from Cambridge.
He grabbed his first on the hour following a corner from skipper Lee Mansell.
Central defender Tom Lockyer saw his header cleared off the line by full back Jake Howells, but Gaffney blasted in the loose ball from twelve yards.
Hot shot Gaffney added his second twelve minutes later.
Mansell fed Lee Brown on the wing and the left back picked out Gaffney who saw his scuffed twelve yard shot spilled by keeper Mark Tyler, but quickly pounced to bury the rebound.
Rovers boss Darrell Clarke hopes to sign Gaffney in the coming days, but joked:
"He's struggled for us so I'm not interested in a permanent. It boils down to money and I haven't got any.
"It's a no brainier from my side that we want to bring him in. I'd like to think it's positive - we'll see.
"It was a good win, a great effort from my boys and good to start the year with a win."
Rovers could have won by a bigger margin, but midfielders Ollie Clarke and Stuart Sinclair both had first half efforts controversially ruled offside.
And five minutes before the break, Hatters keeper Mark Tyler kept the scores level with a brilliant save when he turned Mansell's ten yard blast over the bar.
Former England goalkeeper David James has been linked with the vacancy for the Luton hot seat following the dismissal of John Still, but caretaker manager Andy Awford said:
"There's a two week gap before our next game and so it would seem a good time to appoint a new manager, but I honestly don't know anything."
Striker Gaffney netted a pair against Orient on Tuesday and has now scored five goals during a one month loan deal from Cambridge.
He grabbed his first on the hour following a corner from skipper Lee Mansell.
Central defender Tom Lockyer saw his header cleared off the line by full back Jake Howells, but Gaffney blasted in the loose ball from twelve yards.
Hot shot Gaffney added his second twelve minutes later.
Mansell fed Lee Brown on the wing and the left back picked out Gaffney who saw his scuffed twelve yard shot spilled by keeper Mark Tyler, but quickly pounced to bury the rebound.
Rovers boss Darrell Clarke hopes to sign Gaffney in the coming days, but joked:
"He's struggled for us so I'm not interested in a permanent. It boils down to money and I haven't got any.
"It's a no brainier from my side that we want to bring him in. I'd like to think it's positive - we'll see.
"It was a good win, a great effort from my boys and good to start the year with a win."
Rovers could have won by a bigger margin, but midfielders Ollie Clarke and Stuart Sinclair both had first half efforts controversially ruled offside.
And five minutes before the break, Hatters keeper Mark Tyler kept the scores level with a brilliant save when he turned Mansell's ten yard blast over the bar.
Former England goalkeeper David James has been linked with the vacancy for the Luton hot seat following the dismissal of John Still, but caretaker manager Andy Awford said:
"There's a two week gap before our next game and so it would seem a good time to appoint a new manager, but I honestly don't know anything."
Bristol Rovers 2 Leyton Orient 1 - Archive
Rory Gaffney's brace kept Rovers in the promotion hunt and dented Orient's play-off hopes.
Striker Gaffney opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his second goal since joining Rovers on a one month loan from Cambridge.
Gaffney was fed by central defender Tom Parkes before tip-toeing his way past three defenders and blasting the ball past helpless keeper Alex Cisak from seven yards as Rovers dominated play.
But Orient hot shot Jay Simpson stunned the home faithful seconds before the break when he tapped in a low cross from winger Blair Turgott for his eighteenth goal of the season.
Gaffney grabbed a classy winner in the 53rd minute.
Full back Lee Brown fed the ball into the area and Gaffney hit a superb low first time shot from just inside the box to leave Cisak with no chance and claim his fifth goal of the campaign for both clubs.
Gaffney is due to return to the Abbey Stadium next Sunday, but Rovers boss Darrell Clarke revealed he has spoken to Cambridge about keeping him. He said:
"I know he's enjoying his football and we want him to stay, but we'll have to see what happens in January. We've had initial talks."
Rovers nearly took the lead in only the third minute, but Cisak did well to turn striker Jermaine Easter's fourteen yard shot from an acute angle over his bar.
And Gaffney could have claimed a hat trick in the 68th minute, but for once Cisak got the better of him and saved an angled shot with his feet.
Orient manager Ian Hendon said:
"For the first goal three of our defenders dived in, sold themselves and made the lad look like Lionel Messi.
"I thought there were two evenly matched teams and only a great finish separated them."
Striker Gaffney opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his second goal since joining Rovers on a one month loan from Cambridge.
Gaffney was fed by central defender Tom Parkes before tip-toeing his way past three defenders and blasting the ball past helpless keeper Alex Cisak from seven yards as Rovers dominated play.
But Orient hot shot Jay Simpson stunned the home faithful seconds before the break when he tapped in a low cross from winger Blair Turgott for his eighteenth goal of the season.
Gaffney grabbed a classy winner in the 53rd minute.
Full back Lee Brown fed the ball into the area and Gaffney hit a superb low first time shot from just inside the box to leave Cisak with no chance and claim his fifth goal of the campaign for both clubs.
Gaffney is due to return to the Abbey Stadium next Sunday, but Rovers boss Darrell Clarke revealed he has spoken to Cambridge about keeping him. He said:
"I know he's enjoying his football and we want him to stay, but we'll have to see what happens in January. We've had initial talks."
Rovers nearly took the lead in only the third minute, but Cisak did well to turn striker Jermaine Easter's fourteen yard shot from an acute angle over his bar.
And Gaffney could have claimed a hat trick in the 68th minute, but for once Cisak got the better of him and saved an angled shot with his feet.
Orient manager Ian Hendon said:
"For the first goal three of our defenders dived in, sold themselves and made the lad look like Lionel Messi.
"I thought there were two evenly matched teams and only a great finish separated them."
Bristol City 1 Charlton Athletic 1 - Archive
Johnnie Jackson has not ruled out giving another rousing speech to his team mates before this afternoon's game against Wolves.
Skipper Jackson, 33, took centre stage in the dressing room after Saturday's draw at Bristol City to motivate a relegation threatened Addicks squad who have won only once at The Valley since August. He explained:
"I wouldn't be so aloof as to say it was a Churchillian, Battle of Britain speech, but I had something on my mind and so I just asked them for a minute. I felt that we had mentally turned the corner with that point.
"It's part of the captain's role, but I don't say things for the sake of it and don't do it before or after every game because it would lose its effect.
"The fans expect us to dig in and fight. That's the least they deserve, but it can't be for one game, it's got to be the attitude every single week now starting against Wolves. We're desperate for the three points, but I don't want to label it as a 'must win' because there are a lot of games left and a lot of points to play for."
And Jackson is hoping to hear a more vocal dressing room from now on. He said:
"I'm not sure whether I'll say anything before we play them, I'll mull it over, but it's important that there are a lot of voices heard and not just one or they'll start to think 'Oh, here he goes again'."
Manager Karel Fraeye will be without experienced midfielder Alou Diarra, 34, who limped off in the first half against the Robins, but confirmed that Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 25, has shrugged off an ankle injury and is likely to be back in contention this afternoon.
Skipper Jackson, 33, took centre stage in the dressing room after Saturday's draw at Bristol City to motivate a relegation threatened Addicks squad who have won only once at The Valley since August. He explained:
"I wouldn't be so aloof as to say it was a Churchillian, Battle of Britain speech, but I had something on my mind and so I just asked them for a minute. I felt that we had mentally turned the corner with that point.
"It's part of the captain's role, but I don't say things for the sake of it and don't do it before or after every game because it would lose its effect.
"The fans expect us to dig in and fight. That's the least they deserve, but it can't be for one game, it's got to be the attitude every single week now starting against Wolves. We're desperate for the three points, but I don't want to label it as a 'must win' because there are a lot of games left and a lot of points to play for."
And Jackson is hoping to hear a more vocal dressing room from now on. He said:
"I'm not sure whether I'll say anything before we play them, I'll mull it over, but it's important that there are a lot of voices heard and not just one or they'll start to think 'Oh, here he goes again'."
Manager Karel Fraeye will be without experienced midfielder Alou Diarra, 34, who limped off in the first half against the Robins, but confirmed that Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 25, has shrugged off an ankle injury and is likely to be back in contention this afternoon.
Bristol City 1 QPR 1 - Archive
Luke Freeman believes City's Lost Boys are close to finding their way in the Championship with the help of Peter Pan.
Midfielder Freeman, 23, helped craft City's late equaliser for 36 year old striker Aaron Wilbraham before praising his skipper. He said:
"In his head he still thinks he's Peter Pan, I'm sure he does. He's key though.
"He brings everything. He's always bringing the boys together and making sure everyone's involved and he's probably one of the main reasons why the team is so close. He's the best captain I've played under and I think the majority of the lads would say that.
"He always has input at team meetings and tells us what's good for us and what's not. The boys listen because with us being younger boys and him having been there and done it, we know he's massively important for us."
And Freeman insists that there is no need for pixie dust at relegation threatened City after they learned valuable lessons in the first half of the season. He said:
"Apart from Charlton who we play next week, we've played every team and pretty much every game we've played - apart from one or two who you can see will go up - we've thought we were better than them or as good as them.
"A lot of us haven't had any Championship experience, so as younger players we're learning how to to manage games better."
Robins manager Steve Cotterill was delighted to see his team receive a standing ovation and said:
"The fans know how we're going to play and I think they enjoy that. We always take the positives from every game. Sometimes they're harder to find than others, but today I thought the boys were magnificent.
"I'm thrilled for Aaron Wilbraham because I think he gets through so much hard work."
Winger Junior Hoilett, 25, scored the opening goal for QPR and his form is impressing skipper Nedum Onuoha, 29, who said:
"I have played against him so many times in the past and he’s always made it very difficult for me, so to finally see him do well is great because I like to see good people doing well and long may that continue.
"He’s on form, playing week-in, week-out and he’s allowed to try things. When you’re given licence to try things that perhaps you wouldn’t have been previously, it fills you with confidence.
"What is there to worry about when that happens? It’s not like being a defender where you can’t try anything and you have to do the simple things over and over again. With Junior, if he wants to do 25 stepovers then he can try 25 stepovers, which is a good thing for him.
"He could be key to getting us into the play-off places but as the manager will say, everything has to be done together because there is a massive team ethic and if you don’t work for the team you don’t get into the side."
New QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink chalked up a third successive draw since he took over from Neil Warnock and was also pleased with Hoilett. He said:
"He's getting back to where he needs to be. He's a confidence player who needs someone to believe in him and we certainly do. We definitely like him. He’s one who can create and score goals."
Leading marksman Charlie Austin missed the game with a hamstring "tweak" and is tipped to leave in January, but with or without him Rangers will need to add bodies if they are going to push for the play-offs. Hasselbaink said:
"You always want to strengthen, but I'm very happy with the squad that I have and I want to keep everyone here as much as possible."
Midfielder Freeman, 23, helped craft City's late equaliser for 36 year old striker Aaron Wilbraham before praising his skipper. He said:
"In his head he still thinks he's Peter Pan, I'm sure he does. He's key though.
"He brings everything. He's always bringing the boys together and making sure everyone's involved and he's probably one of the main reasons why the team is so close. He's the best captain I've played under and I think the majority of the lads would say that.
"He always has input at team meetings and tells us what's good for us and what's not. The boys listen because with us being younger boys and him having been there and done it, we know he's massively important for us."
And Freeman insists that there is no need for pixie dust at relegation threatened City after they learned valuable lessons in the first half of the season. He said:
"Apart from Charlton who we play next week, we've played every team and pretty much every game we've played - apart from one or two who you can see will go up - we've thought we were better than them or as good as them.
"A lot of us haven't had any Championship experience, so as younger players we're learning how to to manage games better."
Robins manager Steve Cotterill was delighted to see his team receive a standing ovation and said:
"The fans know how we're going to play and I think they enjoy that. We always take the positives from every game. Sometimes they're harder to find than others, but today I thought the boys were magnificent.
"I'm thrilled for Aaron Wilbraham because I think he gets through so much hard work."
Winger Junior Hoilett, 25, scored the opening goal for QPR and his form is impressing skipper Nedum Onuoha, 29, who said:
"I have played against him so many times in the past and he’s always made it very difficult for me, so to finally see him do well is great because I like to see good people doing well and long may that continue.
"He’s on form, playing week-in, week-out and he’s allowed to try things. When you’re given licence to try things that perhaps you wouldn’t have been previously, it fills you with confidence.
"What is there to worry about when that happens? It’s not like being a defender where you can’t try anything and you have to do the simple things over and over again. With Junior, if he wants to do 25 stepovers then he can try 25 stepovers, which is a good thing for him.
"He could be key to getting us into the play-off places but as the manager will say, everything has to be done together because there is a massive team ethic and if you don’t work for the team you don’t get into the side."
New QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink chalked up a third successive draw since he took over from Neil Warnock and was also pleased with Hoilett. He said:
"He's getting back to where he needs to be. He's a confidence player who needs someone to believe in him and we certainly do. We definitely like him. He’s one who can create and score goals."
Leading marksman Charlie Austin missed the game with a hamstring "tweak" and is tipped to leave in January, but with or without him Rangers will need to add bodies if they are going to push for the play-offs. Hasselbaink said:
"You always want to strengthen, but I'm very happy with the squad that I have and I want to keep everyone here as much as possible."
Oxford United 1 Carlisle United 1 - Archive
Charlie Wyke helped Carlisle to a useful draw, but his thoughts quickly returned to the city's flood victims.
Striker Wyke, 23, was involved the bizarre own goal by Oxford defender Che Dunkley that kept the Cumbrians in the promotion hunt before saying:
"I was about to shoot when one of their defenders kicked it in off the face of another defender - I'll still try and claim it though. That's the first bit of luck anyone connected with Carlisle has had all week."
Wyke and his team mates witnessed the damage done by flood waters first hand as they gave their own time to help out. He revealed:
"It wasn't nice to see, but it was good to be able to do something even if it was for just a few hours.
"The water was up to our shoulders as we moved carpets and stripped kitchens in people's homes. And it's not getting any easier for them with no heating or electric just before Christmas."
Oxford boss Michael Appleton said:
"I take my hat off to Carlisle for what they've done in the community this week, and that probably had a galvanising effect on them."
Winger Alex MacDonald, 25, opened the scoring and could have claimed a penalty, but said:
"I was probably thinking more about scoring than falling on the floor. I was touched a little, but not enough to make a big hop-hah out of it and I like to think I'm an honest player who wouldn't go looking for anything they didn't deserve.
"Carlisle are a good team, but you could see their togetherness and they did well after what they've seen this week."
Carlisle manager Keith Curle said:
"Last season I remember coming to Oxford and saying afterwards that we were weak. I've told the players it's very pleasing that a year later I can come here and say that I've got a group with real hunger who are strong."
Striker Wyke, 23, was involved the bizarre own goal by Oxford defender Che Dunkley that kept the Cumbrians in the promotion hunt before saying:
"I was about to shoot when one of their defenders kicked it in off the face of another defender - I'll still try and claim it though. That's the first bit of luck anyone connected with Carlisle has had all week."
Wyke and his team mates witnessed the damage done by flood waters first hand as they gave their own time to help out. He revealed:
"It wasn't nice to see, but it was good to be able to do something even if it was for just a few hours.
"The water was up to our shoulders as we moved carpets and stripped kitchens in people's homes. And it's not getting any easier for them with no heating or electric just before Christmas."
Oxford boss Michael Appleton said:
"I take my hat off to Carlisle for what they've done in the community this week, and that probably had a galvanising effect on them."
Winger Alex MacDonald, 25, opened the scoring and could have claimed a penalty, but said:
"I was probably thinking more about scoring than falling on the floor. I was touched a little, but not enough to make a big hop-hah out of it and I like to think I'm an honest player who wouldn't go looking for anything they didn't deserve.
"Carlisle are a good team, but you could see their togetherness and they did well after what they've seen this week."
Carlisle manager Keith Curle said:
"Last season I remember coming to Oxford and saying afterwards that we were weak. I've told the players it's very pleasing that a year later I can come here and say that I've got a group with real hunger who are strong."
Bristol City 0 Blackburn Rovers 2 - Archive
Grant Hanley still has an eye on end-of-season glory despite Blackburn's off-field problems.
Rovers have been operating under a transfer embargo for most of the year after breaking the Football League's Financial Fair Play rules and replaced manager Gary Bowyer with Paul Lambert in mid-November.
But skipper Hanley, 24, opened the scoring against City to take Rovers within five points of the play-offs before claiming the players have never lost their focus. He said:
"It's our mindset since day one. We haven't had the results we feel we've deserved, we've had changes of manager and things like that, but the lads are fully focussed and the play-offs are our main goal.
"We aren't getting ahead ourselves though because football's quick to slap you in the face."
And Hanley called on his teammates to continue chipping in with goals to support super-striker Jordan Rhodes who has netted nine times this season. He said:
"Jordan's a goal scorer and he's brilliant for us, but we can't always rely on him to score them. He's a massive, massive player for us, but it's important that the other lads including me pop up and get their fair share."
Lambert has seen his side take seven points from three games since replacing Bowyer and the former Aston Villa boss said:
"Do I think we need more players in January? Absolutely. We need to be stronger, but we can't go crazy.
"The problem we have is tempering expectation levels. It is a great football club and the good news during the week that the embargo has been lifted gave everyone a lift.
"There is a really good feeling at the club at the moment and we'll do all we can to keep creeping up the table."
Veteran City striker Aaron Wilbraham, 32, has enjoyed promotions with MK Dons, Norwich, Crystal Palace and the Robins as League One champions last season, but the club skipper said:
"I've also been in this position before. We were second favourites at Palace to get relegated, but ended up getting promoted to the Premier League after winning the Play-Off Final because we had a good team spirit and pulled together.
"I think this side has the same feel about it, but probably more talent. We don't look like a relegation team and we're definitely not playing like one.
"I spend time talking to the other players and try to pass on my experience and we're a close-knit group who spend a lot of time with each other chatting about the situation over coffee or in hotel lobbies at away games."
City manager Steve Cotterill was seething with whistler Geoff Eltringham for not giving a penalty to his team and then awarding one to Rovers that was converted by Ben Marshall. He fumed:
"We've decided we don't get penalties and the opposition do after this. It was 100 per cent not a penalty.
"I've watched both incidents again and it's a foul on Kieran Agard – he's all over him – and their penalty is not one. What can we do? We deserved a good refereeing performance and we deserved more than the zero points we got.
"I don't think their first goal should have counted either. Hanley has both his hands on Liam Moore's shoulders and it's a foul."
But Cotterill accepted the decision to dismiss Villa loanee defender Nathan Baker for picking up two yellow cards before Blackburn scored. He admitted:
"The sending-off is our fault and I am not defending Nathan Baker over it. We just want the rub of the green occasionally with decisions."
Rovers have been operating under a transfer embargo for most of the year after breaking the Football League's Financial Fair Play rules and replaced manager Gary Bowyer with Paul Lambert in mid-November.
But skipper Hanley, 24, opened the scoring against City to take Rovers within five points of the play-offs before claiming the players have never lost their focus. He said:
"It's our mindset since day one. We haven't had the results we feel we've deserved, we've had changes of manager and things like that, but the lads are fully focussed and the play-offs are our main goal.
"We aren't getting ahead ourselves though because football's quick to slap you in the face."
And Hanley called on his teammates to continue chipping in with goals to support super-striker Jordan Rhodes who has netted nine times this season. He said:
"Jordan's a goal scorer and he's brilliant for us, but we can't always rely on him to score them. He's a massive, massive player for us, but it's important that the other lads including me pop up and get their fair share."
Lambert has seen his side take seven points from three games since replacing Bowyer and the former Aston Villa boss said:
"Do I think we need more players in January? Absolutely. We need to be stronger, but we can't go crazy.
"The problem we have is tempering expectation levels. It is a great football club and the good news during the week that the embargo has been lifted gave everyone a lift.
"There is a really good feeling at the club at the moment and we'll do all we can to keep creeping up the table."
Veteran City striker Aaron Wilbraham, 32, has enjoyed promotions with MK Dons, Norwich, Crystal Palace and the Robins as League One champions last season, but the club skipper said:
"I've also been in this position before. We were second favourites at Palace to get relegated, but ended up getting promoted to the Premier League after winning the Play-Off Final because we had a good team spirit and pulled together.
"I think this side has the same feel about it, but probably more talent. We don't look like a relegation team and we're definitely not playing like one.
"I spend time talking to the other players and try to pass on my experience and we're a close-knit group who spend a lot of time with each other chatting about the situation over coffee or in hotel lobbies at away games."
City manager Steve Cotterill was seething with whistler Geoff Eltringham for not giving a penalty to his team and then awarding one to Rovers that was converted by Ben Marshall. He fumed:
"We've decided we don't get penalties and the opposition do after this. It was 100 per cent not a penalty.
"I've watched both incidents again and it's a foul on Kieran Agard – he's all over him – and their penalty is not one. What can we do? We deserved a good refereeing performance and we deserved more than the zero points we got.
"I don't think their first goal should have counted either. Hanley has both his hands on Liam Moore's shoulders and it's a foul."
But Cotterill accepted the decision to dismiss Villa loanee defender Nathan Baker for picking up two yellow cards before Blackburn scored. He admitted:
"The sending-off is our fault and I am not defending Nathan Baker over it. We just want the rub of the green occasionally with decisions."
Bristol Rovers 3 Wycombe Wanderers 0 - Archive
Matty Taylor scored a quick fire hat trick to give Rovers that winning feeling again.
Rovers had only managed one draw in their last three outings, but striker Taylor turned up the Gas to roast fellow play-off chasers Wycombe in the space of twelve minutes.
In the 60th minute substitute Billy Bodin dummied a free kick from skipper Lee Mansell and Taylor drilled the ball in from a central position on he edge of the box.
Two minutes later Bodin won a free kick twenty yards out and midfielder Stuart Sinclair picked out Taylor with a quick free kick and he blasted home from the same position.
Winger Daniel Leadbitter then found Taylor with a pass into the area and the striker outmuscled central defender Anthony Stewart before turning and firing home his twelfth league goal in fifteen starts from eight yards.
Wycombe keeper Matt Ingram produced a superb save in the first minute when he was forced to acrobatically tip over a 25 yard goal bound belter from Mansell and seven minutes later he claimed a fourteen yard effort from Taylor after the striker had wriggled past three defenders to get into the box.
Wycombe midfielder Sam Wood was left holding his head in his hands in the fifteenth minute when he rattled the wrong side of the near post with a shot from the left of the area.
Taylor came close to opening the scoring in the 36th minute, but dragged his fourteen yard shot wide with Ingram beaten.
Rovers had only managed one draw in their last three outings, but striker Taylor turned up the Gas to roast fellow play-off chasers Wycombe in the space of twelve minutes.
In the 60th minute substitute Billy Bodin dummied a free kick from skipper Lee Mansell and Taylor drilled the ball in from a central position on he edge of the box.
Two minutes later Bodin won a free kick twenty yards out and midfielder Stuart Sinclair picked out Taylor with a quick free kick and he blasted home from the same position.
Winger Daniel Leadbitter then found Taylor with a pass into the area and the striker outmuscled central defender Anthony Stewart before turning and firing home his twelfth league goal in fifteen starts from eight yards.
Wycombe keeper Matt Ingram produced a superb save in the first minute when he was forced to acrobatically tip over a 25 yard goal bound belter from Mansell and seven minutes later he claimed a fourteen yard effort from Taylor after the striker had wriggled past three defenders to get into the box.
Wycombe midfielder Sam Wood was left holding his head in his hands in the fifteenth minute when he rattled the wrong side of the near post with a shot from the left of the area.
Taylor came close to opening the scoring in the 36th minute, but dragged his fourteen yard shot wide with Ingram beaten.
Walsall 2 Bradford City 1 - Archive
Milan Lalkovic regrets listening to advice that lured him away from fans who treat him like a San Siro legend.
Winger Lalkovic, 22, netted his fifth goal of the season before joking:
"I like scoring in front of our fans and when they shout 'Milan, Milan' it's nice. It's like watching one of my favourite teams, AC Milan, because that's what they shout as well."
Slovak Lalkovic spent one season on loan with the Saddlers when he was with Chelsea, but opted for a move to Barnsley when he was released by the Premier League outfit. He admitted:
"I listened to some voices I maybe shouldn't have. Fortunately I kept in touch with the gaffer and so when I had the chance to return in the summer, I was happy to take it."
Hot shot striker Tom Bradshaw, 23, opened the scoring and is hoping to add to his twelve goal haul this season against former club Shrewsbury tomorrow (Tuesday). He said:
"I backed myself after five games without a goal that I was going to get back n the scoresheet and I have done. Someone told me that if we win 4-0, we go top. It's nice going into the game with some form. Hopefully I'll be able to score at least one."
Walsall boss Dean Smith was delighted with his side and especially Bradshaw and Lalkovic. He said:
"Tom took his really well. For Milan’s goal it was a great ball, a great touch and a great slot as well."
Manager Phil Parkinson saw midfielder Lee Evans pull City level, but refused to be downbeat after watching an unbeaten run of ten games end. He said:
"It's horrible to lose. The lads are disappointed, but we've we've had a great run and the league is very tight."
Winger Lalkovic, 22, netted his fifth goal of the season before joking:
"I like scoring in front of our fans and when they shout 'Milan, Milan' it's nice. It's like watching one of my favourite teams, AC Milan, because that's what they shout as well."
Slovak Lalkovic spent one season on loan with the Saddlers when he was with Chelsea, but opted for a move to Barnsley when he was released by the Premier League outfit. He admitted:
"I listened to some voices I maybe shouldn't have. Fortunately I kept in touch with the gaffer and so when I had the chance to return in the summer, I was happy to take it."
Hot shot striker Tom Bradshaw, 23, opened the scoring and is hoping to add to his twelve goal haul this season against former club Shrewsbury tomorrow (Tuesday). He said:
"I backed myself after five games without a goal that I was going to get back n the scoresheet and I have done. Someone told me that if we win 4-0, we go top. It's nice going into the game with some form. Hopefully I'll be able to score at least one."
Walsall boss Dean Smith was delighted with his side and especially Bradshaw and Lalkovic. He said:
"Tom took his really well. For Milan’s goal it was a great ball, a great touch and a great slot as well."
Manager Phil Parkinson saw midfielder Lee Evans pull City level, but refused to be downbeat after watching an unbeaten run of ten games end. He said:
"It's horrible to lose. The lads are disappointed, but we've we've had a great run and the league is very tight."
Bristol City 1 Hull City 1 - Archive
Kieran Agard and the Robins' players can expect trouble and strife at home if they become City slackers.
Striker Agard, 26, opened the slammed in the opener in the 39th minute to help the Robins edge further from the drop zone and stretch their unbeaten run to three games before revealing:
"We had a great team spirit last season when we won the title in League One. That's carried over to this season when things haven't quite gone our way.
"The players all get on well, meet up for coffee after training and banter with each other on WhatsApp, but our wives and girlfriends are also good friends too and so we spend time at in each other's houses chilling out, having meals and playing FIFA. If any of us stops working hard we're more likely to get it in the ear at home than on the pitch."
Agard scored fourteen goals in City's title winning campaign, but has been used sparingly by boss Steve Cotterill this term after picking up a bad knee injury and undergoing surgery BEFORE pre-season training had even started.
And the former Everton trainee revealed City's close knit group kept him going during the first three months of the campaign. He said:
"I was just trying to make sure I was fit and ready for pre-season and was running on grass when it went. It's been frustrating, but everyone has supported me - the players, family, friends and the staff here."
Substitute Shaun Maloney equalised for the Tigers in the second half, but has also been dogged by injury and restricted to a handful of starts himself since joining the club from US outfit Chicago Fire in the summer.
Former Wigan, Celtic and Aston Villa striker Maloney, 32, damaged a hamstring while on Scotland duty in September, but said:
"The team has been excellent and so if I'm not playing I have to have a positive effect on them. The harmony of the squad is more important than any one individual and you have to respect your team mates, particularly me as I didn't have a pre-season with them.
"There's no doubt that it's been difficult. There's a pretty big difference in the intensity of training here compared to my previous club, but I knew that would be the case before I arrived."
And Maloney is backing Hull to make it back to the top flight. He said:
"This is a club trying to get back into the Premier League and the quality of the squad is of that standard so we really need to keep it together in January. We're in a tough league though and three or four other teams have won consistently like we have, so we'll have to continue the form we're in."
But Hull boss Steve Bruce is looking forward to having rested leading marksman Abel Hernandez leading the line again when his side take on promotion rivals Derby next Friday. He explained:
"We left him out to get a bit of sun on his back. It's been the third time in two months that he's been back and forward to Uruguay and it's a sixteen hour flight so we decided to freshen him up. We hope that it works and he'll be fit and lively for Derby."
Cotterill has been impressed with the job Bruce has done following relegation from the Premier League last term and said:
"Steve has some made some changes and I think they are probably a better side than they were last season. They have a good spirit about them, they have good legs and they have very good footballers.
"I think they will be up there at the end of the season and I think they will be promoted."
- ends -
Bristol City: Fielding 6, Ayling 6, Flint 6, Baker 6, Williams 6, Bennett 6 (Little 83, 5), Smith 7, Pack 7, Freeman 7, Agard 7, Kodjia 5 (Wilbraham 79, 5).
Subs not used: O'Leary, Cox, Reid, Moore, Bryan.
Entertainment value: 3
Hull City: McGregor 6, Odubajo 5 (Aluko 83, 5), Dawson 5 (Davies 35, 6), Maguire 6, Robertson 6, Elmohamady 5, Livermore 6, Huddlestone 6, Clucas 6, Akpom 5 (Maloney 62, 7), Diame 6.
Subs not used: Jakupovic, Bruce, Taylor, Haydn.
Entertainment value: 3
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire) 5
Sun star man: Korey Smith (Bristol City) Battled tirelessly for the cause in midfield.
Striker Agard, 26, opened the slammed in the opener in the 39th minute to help the Robins edge further from the drop zone and stretch their unbeaten run to three games before revealing:
"We had a great team spirit last season when we won the title in League One. That's carried over to this season when things haven't quite gone our way.
"The players all get on well, meet up for coffee after training and banter with each other on WhatsApp, but our wives and girlfriends are also good friends too and so we spend time at in each other's houses chilling out, having meals and playing FIFA. If any of us stops working hard we're more likely to get it in the ear at home than on the pitch."
Agard scored fourteen goals in City's title winning campaign, but has been used sparingly by boss Steve Cotterill this term after picking up a bad knee injury and undergoing surgery BEFORE pre-season training had even started.
And the former Everton trainee revealed City's close knit group kept him going during the first three months of the campaign. He said:
"I was just trying to make sure I was fit and ready for pre-season and was running on grass when it went. It's been frustrating, but everyone has supported me - the players, family, friends and the staff here."
Substitute Shaun Maloney equalised for the Tigers in the second half, but has also been dogged by injury and restricted to a handful of starts himself since joining the club from US outfit Chicago Fire in the summer.
Former Wigan, Celtic and Aston Villa striker Maloney, 32, damaged a hamstring while on Scotland duty in September, but said:
"The team has been excellent and so if I'm not playing I have to have a positive effect on them. The harmony of the squad is more important than any one individual and you have to respect your team mates, particularly me as I didn't have a pre-season with them.
"There's no doubt that it's been difficult. There's a pretty big difference in the intensity of training here compared to my previous club, but I knew that would be the case before I arrived."
And Maloney is backing Hull to make it back to the top flight. He said:
"This is a club trying to get back into the Premier League and the quality of the squad is of that standard so we really need to keep it together in January. We're in a tough league though and three or four other teams have won consistently like we have, so we'll have to continue the form we're in."
But Hull boss Steve Bruce is looking forward to having rested leading marksman Abel Hernandez leading the line again when his side take on promotion rivals Derby next Friday. He explained:
"We left him out to get a bit of sun on his back. It's been the third time in two months that he's been back and forward to Uruguay and it's a sixteen hour flight so we decided to freshen him up. We hope that it works and he'll be fit and lively for Derby."
Cotterill has been impressed with the job Bruce has done following relegation from the Premier League last term and said:
"Steve has some made some changes and I think they are probably a better side than they were last season. They have a good spirit about them, they have good legs and they have very good footballers.
"I think they will be up there at the end of the season and I think they will be promoted."
- ends -
Bristol City: Fielding 6, Ayling 6, Flint 6, Baker 6, Williams 6, Bennett 6 (Little 83, 5), Smith 7, Pack 7, Freeman 7, Agard 7, Kodjia 5 (Wilbraham 79, 5).
Subs not used: O'Leary, Cox, Reid, Moore, Bryan.
Entertainment value: 3
Hull City: McGregor 6, Odubajo 5 (Aluko 83, 5), Dawson 5 (Davies 35, 6), Maguire 6, Robertson 6, Elmohamady 5, Livermore 6, Huddlestone 6, Clucas 6, Akpom 5 (Maloney 62, 7), Diame 6.
Subs not used: Jakupovic, Bruce, Taylor, Haydn.
Entertainment value: 3
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire) 5
Sun star man: Korey Smith (Bristol City) Battled tirelessly for the cause in midfield.
Bristol Rovers 2 Carlisle 0 - Archive
Matty Taylor's believes his two late goals prove that Rovers 'fitness first' policy is paying off..
Striker Taylor, 25, grabbed a second half brace to sink fellow play-off hopefuls Carlisle before revealing:
"We're a fit bunch of lads and always finish games strongly. Our pre-season was tough and it's not good fun when you're doing it.
"We spent the last one in Cardiff bonding and doing a lot of running up Welsh mountains. To be honest I just tried to get the work done at the time and blank it out, but we're seeing the benefits now.
"There's no better feeling than running next to someone late in a game and knowing they're struggling for air while you're still feeling fresh."
Taylor scored twenty goals in Rovers promotion campaign last term, but is coy about revealing targets set by either the team or himself.
"We know how many wins we need and we keep ticking them off one by one.
"I'm on eight goals now and so my next target's nine. I'd get too much abuse if I set targets and I didn't make them."
Rovers chalked up only a second league home win this season, but have grabbed nineteen points on their travels to keep them in contention and delighted manager Darrell Clarke said:
"The players are working hard for each other and that's the minimum we expect at this football club. I don't think anyone can question this group's character."
Birthday boy Keith Curle retained his sense of humour despite the defeat. Carlisle's Bristol-born boss joked:
"How to spoil a birthday party!I made one massive bad decision. I knew where the dug out was and that we had to walk across the wet pitch to get to it and I was wearing suede topped shoes.
"We came up a little short in some aspects, but can still take some positives from the game."
Striker Taylor, 25, grabbed a second half brace to sink fellow play-off hopefuls Carlisle before revealing:
"We're a fit bunch of lads and always finish games strongly. Our pre-season was tough and it's not good fun when you're doing it.
"We spent the last one in Cardiff bonding and doing a lot of running up Welsh mountains. To be honest I just tried to get the work done at the time and blank it out, but we're seeing the benefits now.
"There's no better feeling than running next to someone late in a game and knowing they're struggling for air while you're still feeling fresh."
Taylor scored twenty goals in Rovers promotion campaign last term, but is coy about revealing targets set by either the team or himself.
"We know how many wins we need and we keep ticking them off one by one.
"I'm on eight goals now and so my next target's nine. I'd get too much abuse if I set targets and I didn't make them."
Rovers chalked up only a second league home win this season, but have grabbed nineteen points on their travels to keep them in contention and delighted manager Darrell Clarke said:
"The players are working hard for each other and that's the minimum we expect at this football club. I don't think anyone can question this group's character."
Birthday boy Keith Curle retained his sense of humour despite the defeat. Carlisle's Bristol-born boss joked:
"How to spoil a birthday party!I made one massive bad decision. I knew where the dug out was and that we had to walk across the wet pitch to get to it and I was wearing suede topped shoes.
"We came up a little short in some aspects, but can still take some positives from the game."
Bristol Rovers 0 Chesham United 1 - Archive
Ryan Blake took the glory as non-league Chesham produced some Cup shock and Gore.
Striker Blake scored the 77th minute winner, but keeper Shane Gore pulled off a string of brilliant saves to dump Rovers out of the competition.
Former Rovers striker Barry Hayles had a hand in Blake's goal five minutes after coming off the bench.
Chesham player-coach Hayles, 43, fed Blake forty yards out and he ran towards goal before unleashing a low, swerving 25 yard strike that left keeper Lee Nicholls flat-footed and the home support stunned.
Delighted Chesham boss Andy Leese said:
"All week the phrase has been 'Go and make a name for yourself" and that's what they did.
"Any football at any level, you have to practice defending. We do and it paid off today.
"Blakey's pace was a threat all afternoon - happy days. And Shame Gore showed what he's all about today."
Blake, 24, gushed:
"This is totally surreal. Two mates, Matt Phillips at QPR and Rob Hall at MK Dons, both sent me texts this morning telling me to get my head down, work as hard as I normally do and see what happens. They were right. I wear a pair of shin pads that Matt gave me once, they're my lucky ones and they're never coming off again!"
Nicholls thought he had spared Rovers' blushes in the 20th minute.
Central defender Tom Lockyer chopped down striker Brad Wadkins in the box and Wigan loanee Nicholls did superbly to get down to his right and touch winger Dave Pearce's penalty onto the post and away to safety.
Gore helped the Generals beat Enfield in the last qualifying round and needed to be alert to stop a thirty yard strike from Billy Bodin in the 21st minute.
In the 32nd minute Bodin's angled shot from he right side of the area forced Gore into an excellent save at his near post and Little cleared striker Matty Taylor's shot off the line from the resulting corner.
In added time before the break Gore was at it again to claw away a close range effort from Taylor.
Gore showed real class in the 57th minute to palm Lee Mansell's twenty yard strike behind for a corner, but saved his best for the final three minutes.
Harrison volleyed Jake Gosling's corner from twelve yards and Gore threw himself to his fight to beat it away at full stretch in mid-air and then shut out substitute Jermaine Easter from fourteen yards with a similar save to his left.
Crestfallen Rovers boss Darrell Clarke admitted:
"It's going to be on hell of a pick me up job after that. I've just got to get myself up off the floor first."
Striker Blake scored the 77th minute winner, but keeper Shane Gore pulled off a string of brilliant saves to dump Rovers out of the competition.
Former Rovers striker Barry Hayles had a hand in Blake's goal five minutes after coming off the bench.
Chesham player-coach Hayles, 43, fed Blake forty yards out and he ran towards goal before unleashing a low, swerving 25 yard strike that left keeper Lee Nicholls flat-footed and the home support stunned.
Delighted Chesham boss Andy Leese said:
"All week the phrase has been 'Go and make a name for yourself" and that's what they did.
"Any football at any level, you have to practice defending. We do and it paid off today.
"Blakey's pace was a threat all afternoon - happy days. And Shame Gore showed what he's all about today."
Blake, 24, gushed:
"This is totally surreal. Two mates, Matt Phillips at QPR and Rob Hall at MK Dons, both sent me texts this morning telling me to get my head down, work as hard as I normally do and see what happens. They were right. I wear a pair of shin pads that Matt gave me once, they're my lucky ones and they're never coming off again!"
Nicholls thought he had spared Rovers' blushes in the 20th minute.
Central defender Tom Lockyer chopped down striker Brad Wadkins in the box and Wigan loanee Nicholls did superbly to get down to his right and touch winger Dave Pearce's penalty onto the post and away to safety.
Gore helped the Generals beat Enfield in the last qualifying round and needed to be alert to stop a thirty yard strike from Billy Bodin in the 21st minute.
In the 32nd minute Bodin's angled shot from he right side of the area forced Gore into an excellent save at his near post and Little cleared striker Matty Taylor's shot off the line from the resulting corner.
In added time before the break Gore was at it again to claw away a close range effort from Taylor.
Gore showed real class in the 57th minute to palm Lee Mansell's twenty yard strike behind for a corner, but saved his best for the final three minutes.
Harrison volleyed Jake Gosling's corner from twelve yards and Gore threw himself to his fight to beat it away at full stretch in mid-air and then shut out substitute Jermaine Easter from fourteen yards with a similar save to his left.
Crestfallen Rovers boss Darrell Clarke admitted:
"It's going to be on hell of a pick me up job after that. I've just got to get myself up off the floor first."
Bradford City 1 Blackpool 0 - Archive
Assistant manager Steve Parkin was delighted with Bradford's fourth win in a six game unbeaten run and said:
"We never devalue a 1-0 win. The lads showed a lot of 'grownupness' and worked hard, not just for the win, but the clean sheet as well because you don't get anywhere by shipping goals.
"We've looked like a real threat from set plays in the last two or three weeks."
Blackpool boss Neil McDonald watched his side lose a second match on the bounce and said:
"We're bitterly disappointed to lose the game on a set play. I can't fault anyone for lack of effort though. We kept going until the end."
- ends -
Sent from my iPad
"We never devalue a 1-0 win. The lads showed a lot of 'grownupness' and worked hard, not just for the win, but the clean sheet as well because you don't get anywhere by shipping goals.
"We've looked like a real threat from set plays in the last two or three weeks."
Blackpool boss Neil McDonald watched his side lose a second match on the bounce and said:
"We're bitterly disappointed to lose the game on a set play. I can't fault anyone for lack of effort though. We kept going until the end."
- ends -
Sent from my iPad
Bristol City 1 Fulham 4 - Archive
James Husband believes Fulham can push for promotion - with or without him.
Boro winger Husband, 21, is playing in his second loan spell this season with the Cottagers and had a hand in three of his team's four first half goals before saying:
"If we're on song we're on a par with anyone. I think all of us think we can do something special this season, I honestly do. We're starting to get that belief a little bit now. We can beat any team as long as we do the nitty gritty stuff and work hard for each other. We're capable of beating any team in this league."
But Leeds born Husband knows his Craven Cottage stay will end before Christmas. He explained:
"I'm on loan until December 14th and then have to go back because the emergency loan deal is up. I can't come back then until January 1st, but I'm enjoying it so much I'd love to come back - one hundred percent.
"The boys have taken to me. It's a bit different from up north. I had to tell the lads that the weather today was hot compared to the north-east. I told them if they got their shirts off they'd get a tan, but I don't think they were convinced."
Moussa Dembele scored twice in the first eighteen minutes to stun City before skipper Ross McCormack blasted in a stunning 30 yard free kick after Husband had been fouled.
Striker McCormack joked:
"One out of twenty's not bad.
"It was further out than I first thought, but the keeper gave me a small target to aim at and fortunately it was big enough.
"This season we seem to be a bit of a one half team, but if we play like we did in the first half or as we did in the second half against Reading when we beat them last week, we'll win more than we lose.
"We played with a bit of a swagger in the first half without being over-confident. We're only four points off the play-offs now and while we are a confident bunch of lads, we're not getting carried away."
Fulham boss Kit Symons was delighted with his team's first half performance and hopes that nineteen year old Dembele who joined the club from Paris St. Germain in 2012 will soon sign a new contract to keep him at Craven Cottage. He said:
"Moussa is a player we will work on to improve. Talks over a new contract are in progress and we want him to sign. I am very hopeful it will happen. He is at the right club to develop his game because we have some good people to offer him guidance. He knows he'll get a kick up the backside when he needs it and a cuddle too."
City struggled to cope with the visitors before midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe added the fourth goal in the 36th minute, but manager Steve Cotterill refused to condemn last season's runaway League One champions. He said:
"I haven't stripped the paint off the walls, only a Neanderthal would do that. I'm with them all the way, I'll support them all the way. They're never on the field by themselves, I'm always next to them. I was with them when we were winning last year and I'm with them even more this year when we're losing. We'll bounce back and we'll be fine."
Striker Jonathan Kodjia, 26, scored a consolation goal in the dying seconds and Cotterill said:
"He's a great boy, but he's a work in progress like the whole squad at this level."
Boro winger Husband, 21, is playing in his second loan spell this season with the Cottagers and had a hand in three of his team's four first half goals before saying:
"If we're on song we're on a par with anyone. I think all of us think we can do something special this season, I honestly do. We're starting to get that belief a little bit now. We can beat any team as long as we do the nitty gritty stuff and work hard for each other. We're capable of beating any team in this league."
But Leeds born Husband knows his Craven Cottage stay will end before Christmas. He explained:
"I'm on loan until December 14th and then have to go back because the emergency loan deal is up. I can't come back then until January 1st, but I'm enjoying it so much I'd love to come back - one hundred percent.
"The boys have taken to me. It's a bit different from up north. I had to tell the lads that the weather today was hot compared to the north-east. I told them if they got their shirts off they'd get a tan, but I don't think they were convinced."
Moussa Dembele scored twice in the first eighteen minutes to stun City before skipper Ross McCormack blasted in a stunning 30 yard free kick after Husband had been fouled.
Striker McCormack joked:
"One out of twenty's not bad.
"It was further out than I first thought, but the keeper gave me a small target to aim at and fortunately it was big enough.
"This season we seem to be a bit of a one half team, but if we play like we did in the first half or as we did in the second half against Reading when we beat them last week, we'll win more than we lose.
"We played with a bit of a swagger in the first half without being over-confident. We're only four points off the play-offs now and while we are a confident bunch of lads, we're not getting carried away."
Fulham boss Kit Symons was delighted with his team's first half performance and hopes that nineteen year old Dembele who joined the club from Paris St. Germain in 2012 will soon sign a new contract to keep him at Craven Cottage. He said:
"Moussa is a player we will work on to improve. Talks over a new contract are in progress and we want him to sign. I am very hopeful it will happen. He is at the right club to develop his game because we have some good people to offer him guidance. He knows he'll get a kick up the backside when he needs it and a cuddle too."
City struggled to cope with the visitors before midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe added the fourth goal in the 36th minute, but manager Steve Cotterill refused to condemn last season's runaway League One champions. He said:
"I haven't stripped the paint off the walls, only a Neanderthal would do that. I'm with them all the way, I'll support them all the way. They're never on the field by themselves, I'm always next to them. I was with them when we were winning last year and I'm with them even more this year when we're losing. We'll bounce back and we'll be fine."
Striker Jonathan Kodjia, 26, scored a consolation goal in the dying seconds and Cotterill said:
"He's a great boy, but he's a work in progress like the whole squad at this level."
Bristol Rovers 1 Newport County 4 - Archive
Zak Ansah has no plans to follow his dad into TV drama, but is a cert for Casualty if he changes his mind.
Ansah, 21, is the son of former Southend winger Andy who starred in the Sky football series Dream Team after hanging up his boots, but the Charlton loanee is intent on making up for lost time on the pitch after numerous injury problems.
Striker Ansah scored a second half brace to lift Newport off the foot of the table before joking:
"I've had to rebuilt and I'm half robot now. I was with Arsenal for ten years, but picked up two cruciate ligament injuries, dislocated my shoulder twice, and had hernia and hip problems before they let me go.
"I've been free of injury for two and a half years now and my confidence has returned. Even though we train four or five days a week, I also use a personal trainer to help me work on stretching, core stuff and some strengthening without over-loading my body. I feel great."
Rovers central defender Tom Parkes headed in a thirteenth minute own goal before team mate Billy Bodin scored a spectacular equaliser within two minutes.
Man of the match Tommy O'Sullivan, 20, sealed the win and the on loan Cardiff midfielder revealed:
"It wasn't a bad strike for my first senior goal and we'll be talking this week about extending the loan which would be great. I'd like to build on the three games I've played so far and gain more experience."
County boss John Sheridan warned:
"I don’t think the players should be showing a bit of swagger because we’re still in a very vulnerable position. There certainly won’t be any swagger while I’m around."
Rovers manager Darrell Clarke fumed:
"There were some ears burning in the dressing room. That was not good enough."
Ansah, 21, is the son of former Southend winger Andy who starred in the Sky football series Dream Team after hanging up his boots, but the Charlton loanee is intent on making up for lost time on the pitch after numerous injury problems.
Striker Ansah scored a second half brace to lift Newport off the foot of the table before joking:
"I've had to rebuilt and I'm half robot now. I was with Arsenal for ten years, but picked up two cruciate ligament injuries, dislocated my shoulder twice, and had hernia and hip problems before they let me go.
"I've been free of injury for two and a half years now and my confidence has returned. Even though we train four or five days a week, I also use a personal trainer to help me work on stretching, core stuff and some strengthening without over-loading my body. I feel great."
Rovers central defender Tom Parkes headed in a thirteenth minute own goal before team mate Billy Bodin scored a spectacular equaliser within two minutes.
Man of the match Tommy O'Sullivan, 20, sealed the win and the on loan Cardiff midfielder revealed:
"It wasn't a bad strike for my first senior goal and we'll be talking this week about extending the loan which would be great. I'd like to build on the three games I've played so far and gain more experience."
County boss John Sheridan warned:
"I don’t think the players should be showing a bit of swagger because we’re still in a very vulnerable position. There certainly won’t be any swagger while I’m around."
Rovers manager Darrell Clarke fumed:
"There were some ears burning in the dressing room. That was not good enough."
Walsall 1 Chesterfield 2 - Archive
Ian Evatt scored the winner before watching his pals tear into each other.
Central defender Evatt, 33, scored the second just after the break after striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had given the Spireites a fifth minute lead, but then watched as several team mates left the field arguing with each other before saying:
"It's nothing new in football, but it comes from a good place. We have a good group of lads who all get on, but we've sad in team meetings that we're too nice in many ways. We need to bring out that extra ten percent and if that means arguing and disagreeing, then so be it.
"If we're demanding more of each other after the game's finished and after we've won, then it just inspires us for the next one. We've won and yet the lads are all passionate about doing even better and driving each other on."
Manager Dean Saunders revealed the arguments continued in the changing room and said:
"They were all in there arguing about something - I don't know what - so I got out and let them get on with it."
Evatt also paid tribute to keeper Tommy Lee, 29, who made a string of great saves to shut out Walsall before rookie central defender Matt Preston, 20, finally grabbed a 93rd minute consolation. He said:
"In my opinion he's the best keeper in the league and he's been playing like that all season.
"I've never seen a player work so hard on his game. In the gym, on the training ground with our goalkeeping coach Mark Crossley, he lives the life of a real pro. It wouldn't surprise me if there aren't some big clubs looking at him."
Saddlers boss Dean Smith admitted:
"I don't think some of our players were at the standard they've been at this season."
Central defender Evatt, 33, scored the second just after the break after striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had given the Spireites a fifth minute lead, but then watched as several team mates left the field arguing with each other before saying:
"It's nothing new in football, but it comes from a good place. We have a good group of lads who all get on, but we've sad in team meetings that we're too nice in many ways. We need to bring out that extra ten percent and if that means arguing and disagreeing, then so be it.
"If we're demanding more of each other after the game's finished and after we've won, then it just inspires us for the next one. We've won and yet the lads are all passionate about doing even better and driving each other on."
Manager Dean Saunders revealed the arguments continued in the changing room and said:
"They were all in there arguing about something - I don't know what - so I got out and let them get on with it."
Evatt also paid tribute to keeper Tommy Lee, 29, who made a string of great saves to shut out Walsall before rookie central defender Matt Preston, 20, finally grabbed a 93rd minute consolation. He said:
"In my opinion he's the best keeper in the league and he's been playing like that all season.
"I've never seen a player work so hard on his game. In the gym, on the training ground with our goalkeeping coach Mark Crossley, he lives the life of a real pro. It wouldn't surprise me if there aren't some big clubs looking at him."
Saddlers boss Dean Smith admitted:
"I don't think some of our players were at the standard they've been at this season."
Oxford United 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 - Archive
George Baldock is eyeing up promotion after scoring a stunner in front of his nearest and dearest.
Full back Baldock, 22, is the younger brother of Brighton striker Sam and rifled in his first Oxford goal from 25 yards in the 80th minute before revealing:
"I'm buzzing after that. My brother and Dad were watching and I was just saying to my Dad the other day that I needed to add goals to my game. It's funny how things pan out like that. You mention it to one of your loved ones and the next weekend you score. I might have to talk to him every week about scoring.
"I'll try and wind Sam up now, but he'll just bring up his own goal scoring record and that'll be the end of that."
And Baldock has high hopes for the club he has joined on a season long loan from MK Dons. He said:
"The Head Scout from MK was here in the week for the win against Swindon in the JPT and told me he was so impressed with us and said that on that performance we should go up.
Oxford boss Michael Appleton was delighted with Baldock and said:
"It was a great strike from George. He did the right thing in not trying to hit it too hard. He hit it true.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game, but the lads did tremendously well. This is without a shadow of a doubt in my mind - although our supporters might disagree - our biggest win of the season."
Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley groaned:
"We were beaten by a good strike that came with bodies running across the keeper. It was kind of disappointing because it was one of those that you look at and you are not quite sure what you could have done about it."
Full back Baldock, 22, is the younger brother of Brighton striker Sam and rifled in his first Oxford goal from 25 yards in the 80th minute before revealing:
"I'm buzzing after that. My brother and Dad were watching and I was just saying to my Dad the other day that I needed to add goals to my game. It's funny how things pan out like that. You mention it to one of your loved ones and the next weekend you score. I might have to talk to him every week about scoring.
"I'll try and wind Sam up now, but he'll just bring up his own goal scoring record and that'll be the end of that."
And Baldock has high hopes for the club he has joined on a season long loan from MK Dons. He said:
"The Head Scout from MK was here in the week for the win against Swindon in the JPT and told me he was so impressed with us and said that on that performance we should go up.
Oxford boss Michael Appleton was delighted with Baldock and said:
"It was a great strike from George. He did the right thing in not trying to hit it too hard. He hit it true.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game, but the lads did tremendously well. This is without a shadow of a doubt in my mind - although our supporters might disagree - our biggest win of the season."
Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley groaned:
"We were beaten by a good strike that came with bodies running across the keeper. It was kind of disappointing because it was one of those that you look at and you are not quite sure what you could have done about it."
Wycombe Wanderers 2 Northampton Town 3 - Archive
Marc Richards revealed that a good old-fashioned kick up the backside worked wonders for the Cobblers.
Town striker Richards hit a 35th minute equaliser to cancel out Luke O'Nien's opener before admitting he had been out of sorts. He explained:
"The gaffer gave me a bit of a kick up the bum on Friday. I gave away too many free kicks last game and so he was on to me about it.
"As a player you need a manager to tell you how it is. I'm 33 and I've played quite a few games, but I still need to be kicked up the arse from time to time. I think football's going a little soft. Players don't like to be told off. We need to get back to the old-school way of doing things.
"I've scored six goals this season, but your team mates expect more from you than that. I don't think I found the form I had last year - until now."
Midfielder Lawson D'Ath put Northampton ahead and Posh loanee defender Shaun Brisley added a third before saying:
"I'd love to stay longer. My deal runs out after the Hartlepool game next week, but it's been fantastic being here. There's a real togetherness about the squad."
And Brisley, 25, prefers lining up alongside Richards than facing him. He said:
"I have bragging rights over him after a couple of 4-1 derby wins when I played for Macclesfield and he played for Port Vale, but I'd still rather have up playing up top for me than against me. He's a really good pro."
Danny Rowe pulled a late goal back for Wycombe as they were knocked off top spot, but boss Gareth Ainsworth said:
"We were there to be shot at. Now Plymouth are up there so they can take some of the pot shots for a while."
Northampton manager Chris Wilder has been linked with the vacancy at Championship strugglers Rotherham, but the Yorkshireman said:
"From my point of view, I am enjoying my time here at Northampton. As I said to the chairman when I walked through the door here, all the clubs I have been at I have been there for a considerable time."
Town striker Richards hit a 35th minute equaliser to cancel out Luke O'Nien's opener before admitting he had been out of sorts. He explained:
"The gaffer gave me a bit of a kick up the bum on Friday. I gave away too many free kicks last game and so he was on to me about it.
"As a player you need a manager to tell you how it is. I'm 33 and I've played quite a few games, but I still need to be kicked up the arse from time to time. I think football's going a little soft. Players don't like to be told off. We need to get back to the old-school way of doing things.
"I've scored six goals this season, but your team mates expect more from you than that. I don't think I found the form I had last year - until now."
Midfielder Lawson D'Ath put Northampton ahead and Posh loanee defender Shaun Brisley added a third before saying:
"I'd love to stay longer. My deal runs out after the Hartlepool game next week, but it's been fantastic being here. There's a real togetherness about the squad."
And Brisley, 25, prefers lining up alongside Richards than facing him. He said:
"I have bragging rights over him after a couple of 4-1 derby wins when I played for Macclesfield and he played for Port Vale, but I'd still rather have up playing up top for me than against me. He's a really good pro."
Danny Rowe pulled a late goal back for Wycombe as they were knocked off top spot, but boss Gareth Ainsworth said:
"We were there to be shot at. Now Plymouth are up there so they can take some of the pot shots for a while."
Northampton manager Chris Wilder has been linked with the vacancy at Championship strugglers Rotherham, but the Yorkshireman said:
"From my point of view, I am enjoying my time here at Northampton. As I said to the chairman when I walked through the door here, all the clubs I have been at I have been there for a considerable time."
Walsall 1 Crewe Alexandra 1 - Archive
Tom Bradshaw has been given a leg up as he tries to fire Walsall towards promotion.
Striker Bradshaw, 23, scored twenty goals last term despite suffering several hamstring problems and spent his summer holiday working with the club's medical staff to address the problem.
After nodding in his eighth goal of this campaign in the fourth minute he revealed:
"We did a lot of work and I've now got insoles in the majority of my shoes because it turns out I've got a slight leg length discrepancy. It's quite common, but we were ticking all of the boxes to minimise the chances of any hamstring problems in the future. I was then given a programme to follow to strengthen them and they've held up really well."
Bradshaw admitted he should have scored the winner in the dying seconds, but said:
"Four or five of us had opportunities, but it just wasn't our day. Their keeper made some great saves, but I still think we played well as a team. It's just a shame we didn't get the three points."
Central defender Ben Nugent, 22, drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box in the eighteenth minute to earn second from bottom Crewe a draw and then joked:
"I hit it in the same way I make a tackle. It wasn't something I'd try to do on the training ground, but we'll take the point. That's four from the last two games and we're all feeling pretty positive."
Upbeat Saddlers boss Dean Smith said:
"Our movement was terrific. I'm blessed with the quality of the squad I've got and I've got good competition for places."
Crewe manager Steve Davis said:
"It's a tough league for us, but we don't just want to be survivors, we want to do better than that."
Striker Bradshaw, 23, scored twenty goals last term despite suffering several hamstring problems and spent his summer holiday working with the club's medical staff to address the problem.
After nodding in his eighth goal of this campaign in the fourth minute he revealed:
"We did a lot of work and I've now got insoles in the majority of my shoes because it turns out I've got a slight leg length discrepancy. It's quite common, but we were ticking all of the boxes to minimise the chances of any hamstring problems in the future. I was then given a programme to follow to strengthen them and they've held up really well."
Bradshaw admitted he should have scored the winner in the dying seconds, but said:
"Four or five of us had opportunities, but it just wasn't our day. Their keeper made some great saves, but I still think we played well as a team. It's just a shame we didn't get the three points."
Central defender Ben Nugent, 22, drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box in the eighteenth minute to earn second from bottom Crewe a draw and then joked:
"I hit it in the same way I make a tackle. It wasn't something I'd try to do on the training ground, but we'll take the point. That's four from the last two games and we're all feeling pretty positive."
Upbeat Saddlers boss Dean Smith said:
"Our movement was terrific. I'm blessed with the quality of the squad I've got and I've got good competition for places."
Crewe manager Steve Davis said:
"It's a tough league for us, but we don't just want to be survivors, we want to do better than that."
Bristol City 0 Reading 2 - Archive
Stephen Quinn is backing his childhood pal to lead the Royals back to the Premier League.
Republic of Ireland international Quinn, 29, pulled the strings from midfield as Reading eased their way to a comfortable win against last season's runaway League One champions, but was quick to praise friend and skipper Paul McShane.
Both players were ditched by Hull in the summer as the Tigers dropped out of the top flight and McShane ended the game with stitches in a bandaged head following a first half clash. Quinn said:
"He's one of my best friends and a brave man. He puts his heart on the line and his head everywhere. He's a fellow countryman and we've known each other since we were eleven when we played against each other and then through the youth levels in Dublin.
"I do fear for his safety at times though because he's so honest and that mad that I don't know what he's going to do next. He never shirks a challenge and I think he puts the fear of God into some strikers.
"He's honest as the day is long, but often doesn't get the recognition for what a good footballer he is as well. I think that the manager did notice that though and that's why he brought him here.
"We both want to take the club back to the Premier League. We did it with Hull and we have the hunger and desire to do to again. The manager's brought in other players with that attitude as well."
Nick Blackman opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his sixth of the campaign and Garath McCleary added a second four minutes later in his first start of the season, but Quinn revealed:
"At the moment Nick can walk on water, but he was disappointed after the game because he knows he could've had more. That's the measure of the man and that's what the gaffer wants to see.
"Garath played with Jamaica in the summer and did well, but he came back with a couple of tears in his calf. The gaffer managed him really well. It was his chance today and he proved he's a real good talent. He's very athletic, can go left or right and stuck one in today that was a real beauty."
Quinn is also enjoying working with boss Steve Clarke and said:
"He's meticulous in his work and makes it enjoyable. He's been brilliant. I've worked with some top managers like Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock and he's probably one of the best - actually THE best. His coaching and management style is second to none.
And Clarke was just as pleased with the attitude of his players. He said:
"I'm happy with the squad we have assembled and delighted with the way the players are performing on the pitch and working on the training ground. I would think it is a good time to be a Reading fan."
Meanwhile, City central defender Aden Flint admitted the Robins struggled, but said:
"The team spirit is still there. When times are hard, that's when team spirit comes into play. The mood in the changing room is a bit down now, but we'll rally around each other and keep encouraging each other."
The defeat left City in the drop zone without a home win this term and manager Steve Cotterill said:
"We've given the opposition a start, which we've done too many times this season. From then on I don't think we properly got into our stride. We couldn't get going and that was disappointing."
Republic of Ireland international Quinn, 29, pulled the strings from midfield as Reading eased their way to a comfortable win against last season's runaway League One champions, but was quick to praise friend and skipper Paul McShane.
Both players were ditched by Hull in the summer as the Tigers dropped out of the top flight and McShane ended the game with stitches in a bandaged head following a first half clash. Quinn said:
"He's one of my best friends and a brave man. He puts his heart on the line and his head everywhere. He's a fellow countryman and we've known each other since we were eleven when we played against each other and then through the youth levels in Dublin.
"I do fear for his safety at times though because he's so honest and that mad that I don't know what he's going to do next. He never shirks a challenge and I think he puts the fear of God into some strikers.
"He's honest as the day is long, but often doesn't get the recognition for what a good footballer he is as well. I think that the manager did notice that though and that's why he brought him here.
"We both want to take the club back to the Premier League. We did it with Hull and we have the hunger and desire to do to again. The manager's brought in other players with that attitude as well."
Nick Blackman opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his sixth of the campaign and Garath McCleary added a second four minutes later in his first start of the season, but Quinn revealed:
"At the moment Nick can walk on water, but he was disappointed after the game because he knows he could've had more. That's the measure of the man and that's what the gaffer wants to see.
"Garath played with Jamaica in the summer and did well, but he came back with a couple of tears in his calf. The gaffer managed him really well. It was his chance today and he proved he's a real good talent. He's very athletic, can go left or right and stuck one in today that was a real beauty."
Quinn is also enjoying working with boss Steve Clarke and said:
"He's meticulous in his work and makes it enjoyable. He's been brilliant. I've worked with some top managers like Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock and he's probably one of the best - actually THE best. His coaching and management style is second to none.
And Clarke was just as pleased with the attitude of his players. He said:
"I'm happy with the squad we have assembled and delighted with the way the players are performing on the pitch and working on the training ground. I would think it is a good time to be a Reading fan."
Meanwhile, City central defender Aden Flint admitted the Robins struggled, but said:
"The team spirit is still there. When times are hard, that's when team spirit comes into play. The mood in the changing room is a bit down now, but we'll rally around each other and keep encouraging each other."
The defeat left City in the drop zone without a home win this term and manager Steve Cotterill said:
"We've given the opposition a start, which we've done too many times this season. From then on I don't think we properly got into our stride. We couldn't get going and that was disappointing."
Bristol Rovers 0 Accrington Stanley 1 - Archive
Billy Kee took less than two minutes to make an impact and unlock Rovers defence.
Super sub Kee scored with a spectacular six yard overhead kick from Adam Buxton's corner after coming off the bench in the 66th minute.
Accrington boss John Coleman was delighted with his side's first away win and said:
"Any win is a good one. It doesn't matter where it happens.
"Every player I've asked to do a job today has done it. I don't think we'd scored from open play in eight or nine hours and so it's good to get that monkey off our back. It gives the lads a bit of belief."
Kee's debut goal following a summer move from Scunthorpe brought a dismal game to life.
Stanley keeper Jason Mooney needed to be at his best to turn away a 25 yard free kick from midfielder Chris Lines in the 85th minute, but was relieved to see a diving header from central defender Tom Parkes fly wide seconds later.
And opposite number Lee Nicholls did well to save an 88th minute shot from substitute Shay McCartan with his feet before watching midfielder Matt Crooks miss a sitter from eight yards in injury time.
Before Kee's winner neither team posed a serious threat as they both struggled to make a telling pass within sight of the opposing area.
Stanley skipper Terry Gornell did appear to have a good claim for a penalty one minute before the break when he was dragged to the deck by central defender Tom Lockyer, but referee Kevin Johnson waved play on.
Frustrated Rovers manager Darrell Clarke said:
"I don't want an over-reaction because we've lost three games on the bounce. It's easy to push the panic button - we won't do that. We'll stick together as a group."
Super sub Kee scored with a spectacular six yard overhead kick from Adam Buxton's corner after coming off the bench in the 66th minute.
Accrington boss John Coleman was delighted with his side's first away win and said:
"Any win is a good one. It doesn't matter where it happens.
"Every player I've asked to do a job today has done it. I don't think we'd scored from open play in eight or nine hours and so it's good to get that monkey off our back. It gives the lads a bit of belief."
Kee's debut goal following a summer move from Scunthorpe brought a dismal game to life.
Stanley keeper Jason Mooney needed to be at his best to turn away a 25 yard free kick from midfielder Chris Lines in the 85th minute, but was relieved to see a diving header from central defender Tom Parkes fly wide seconds later.
And opposite number Lee Nicholls did well to save an 88th minute shot from substitute Shay McCartan with his feet before watching midfielder Matt Crooks miss a sitter from eight yards in injury time.
Before Kee's winner neither team posed a serious threat as they both struggled to make a telling pass within sight of the opposing area.
Stanley skipper Terry Gornell did appear to have a good claim for a penalty one minute before the break when he was dragged to the deck by central defender Tom Lockyer, but referee Kevin Johnson waved play on.
Frustrated Rovers manager Darrell Clarke said:
"I don't want an over-reaction because we've lost three games on the bounce. It's easy to push the panic button - we won't do that. We'll stick together as a group."
Walsall 0 Bury 1 - Archive
Craig Jones scored Bury's first winner of the season, but it was keeper Rob Lainton who made sure of the points.
Jones knocked table toppers Walsall off top spot with a well worked opener in the sixth minute in his first start of the league campaign.
Midfielder Andrew Tutte picked out Jones as he darted into the box from the right flank and the winger coolly stroked the ball into the bottom far corner for his first goal of the season.
Delighted Bury boss David Flitcroft said:
"A lot of hard miles have gone into that result. It was a back-to-the-walls performance against a very good team."
It then became the Rob Lainton show as the Shakers keeper stunned the Bescot faithful with a string of super stops.
Midfielder Sam Mantom was the first to force Lainton into a full length diving save in the 23rd minute.
Lainton had to be at his best twice more just before the break to palm a point blank header from central defender James O'Connor behind and beat away a twenty yard goal bound shot from striker Romaine Sawyers.
Twelve minutes into the second half Lainton showed his class again with an agile diving save to shut out a Mantom drive from the right side of the area that was heading for the top corner.
When Lainton was eventually beaten by a glancing header from striker Tom Bradhaw two minutes later, central defender Peter Clarke nodded the threat off the line.
And in added time former Bolton youth prospect Lainton did well again to block a swerving 25 yard shot from Mantom.
Walsall manager Dean Smith was frustrated by his team's first league defeat, but said:
"I can't have asked for any more from my players. They didn't come here to park the bus, but ended up doing so."
Jones knocked table toppers Walsall off top spot with a well worked opener in the sixth minute in his first start of the league campaign.
Midfielder Andrew Tutte picked out Jones as he darted into the box from the right flank and the winger coolly stroked the ball into the bottom far corner for his first goal of the season.
Delighted Bury boss David Flitcroft said:
"A lot of hard miles have gone into that result. It was a back-to-the-walls performance against a very good team."
It then became the Rob Lainton show as the Shakers keeper stunned the Bescot faithful with a string of super stops.
Midfielder Sam Mantom was the first to force Lainton into a full length diving save in the 23rd minute.
Lainton had to be at his best twice more just before the break to palm a point blank header from central defender James O'Connor behind and beat away a twenty yard goal bound shot from striker Romaine Sawyers.
Twelve minutes into the second half Lainton showed his class again with an agile diving save to shut out a Mantom drive from the right side of the area that was heading for the top corner.
When Lainton was eventually beaten by a glancing header from striker Tom Bradhaw two minutes later, central defender Peter Clarke nodded the threat off the line.
And in added time former Bolton youth prospect Lainton did well again to block a swerving 25 yard shot from Mantom.
Walsall manager Dean Smith was frustrated by his team's first league defeat, but said:
"I can't have asked for any more from my players. They didn't come here to park the bus, but ended up doing so."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)