Striker reflects on disappointing return to the Memorial Ground
Matt Harrold felt Reds lacked “ruthlessness” in both penalty areas as he made a disappointing return to former club Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
goal of the season – and second of the game – in identical fashion to his first when he met a near post corner with a glancing header two minutes later.thReds were well in the game until Liam Lawrence curled a debatable free kick into the top corner to give the hosts a 2-0 lead with 14 minutes left. Matt Taylor then scored his 25
The final score of 3-0 may have flattered Rovers, but Matt had no complaints.
He said: “I just felt we lacked a ruthlessness in both penalty areas.
“We normally pride ourselves on the way we defend set pieces so to concede twice from corners is poor from us. Matt Taylor is one of the smallest players on the pitch but it’s all about delivery and movement in the box and he profited from that.
“But we were well in the game until their second, which came from what we thought was a soft free kick. We had some good situations in their box and if we’d scored first, which we looked like doing until they got their first goal, we would have had something to build on. But our final ball was lacking if I'm honest.”
Matt was given a standing ovation by the Gas faithful when he came off with five minutes to go, his torn shirt evidence of a hard battle with the Rovers’ defenders.
“That was a nice moment, but they did give me plenty of stick during the game!” added Matt.
“It’s good to see them going well because they are a big club and their fans are as passionate as any in the country. They are up to third again and with seven wins in their last eight they definitely have momentum at the right time.”
. With champions-elect Northampton (away) preceded by a trip to AFC Wimbledon on the fixture list after Oxford it's a tough schedule.
home to second in the table Oxford UnitedAs for Reds, another test awaits on Saturday at
Matt added: “Oxford have got their Wembley final today and are second in the table so I imagine they will bring a lot of fans down. It seems a very long time ago, but we drew there on the first day of the season and played well and, at home and if we can get a few more players fit, we will definitely give them a game.”
