Matt Taylor was delighted to progress to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup after Bristol Rovers beat Weston-super-Mare 3-1 after extra time.
The score was level at full-time after Jamie Lindsay’s third goal in four outings at The Memorial Stadium was cancelled by Jordan Bastin’s low strike.
Rovers improved after conceding and twice scored in extra time, with Connor Taylor powering a header from Luke McCormick’s cross before Grant Ward curled in a superb third with moments left to play.
Taylor was pleased with the victory and was impressed with how his side reacted to the Seagulls’ goal.
I’m delighted to get through...
"I’m delighted to get through," he said. "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 the opposition.
"Weston never ever stopped fighting today. They had a real platform at the top end of the pitch with a little bit of physicality, which got them up the pitch at certain times.
"The other attacking moments from the opposition 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. We were all probably thinking about the best-case scenario an awful lot today, and all of a sudden, it turned into an open game."
We started to respond to the setback...
"At times, that probably suited them more than it did us," he said. "Towards the end of the second half and certainly extra time, we seemed to gain more control and had more chances.
"It’s a big moment for that team because with young and inexperienced in certain positions," said the manager. "Weston were going towards their support, which was very vocal throughout the course of the afternoon.
"We started to respond to that setback. Of course, where we wanted to be, we don’t want that setback to happen. We want to be in a more comfortable position in the game. But I was really pleased with the backend of the second half and the extra time the team showed up."
Isaac Hutchinson is involved in every opportunity and chance...
"Isaac Hutchinson is involved in every opportunity and chance," he said. "It seems to be him involved in the majority of our attacking play, certainly today, it felt like that. It wasn’t to be in front of goal and putting the ball in the back of the net, but he roams and comes into the space.
"He’s good with both feet, has a good size and is not bad in terms of set-piece delivery."
We want to build a bit of confidence...
"The most important thing was to get through, but we want to build a bit of confidence," said Taylor. "I think you could see a few out there who probably quite aren't at the levels in terms of their confidence and ultimately their execution for performance.
"Since we’ve gone to a back four, the teams look a little bit more connected, and now, it’s all about performance and contributions to the game, which is why there were a lot of contributions towards the end of the game and extra time."
We look a little bit stronger...
"We’ll give them a little bit of a rest on Sunday and Monday," he said. "We’ve looked after them enough this season, and the big thing is Chris Martin is coming back to fitness, and Joel Senior will be on the training pitch.
"Hopefully, Promise Omochere and James Wilson are available for next weekend. Shaq only missed today's game through suspension. Straight away, going into next week's game, we look a little bit stronger, and it’ll be down to who performs well on the training pitch."
