Fans crossed the line, insists Taylor

Oxford striker points the finger at ‘idiots’ for remarks and chanting in FA Cup tie

MATTY Taylor says sections of the Bristol Rovers support stepped “over the line” with some of their chants towards him during Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie, which only spurred him on to score against them.

Taylor, who registered 68 goals in 134 games for the Pirates between 2014 and 2016 before infamously joining Bristol City in January 2017, opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw, with Rovers backed by 797 fans.

The 31-year-old celebrated

his 11th-minute strike by cupping his ear to the away section at the Kassam Stadium having been subjected to various chants from kick-off.

“That’s kind of for the people who step over the line with their remarks,” Taylor, right, told reporters.

“I’ve got massive respect for the real fans, but there are obviously some idiots that say stupid things and it’s going to rile you up.”

It was the fourth time Taylor has faced Rovers in a competitive fixture since leaving the club, with his return to the Memorial Stadium in August 2019 particularly unsavoury, but the other two League One matches last season were all played behind closed doors.

The blue and white part of the ground were certainly hostile towards the forward during Sunday’s FA Cup tie, and our reporter at the ground heard one chant which contained the words, “We’re gonna have a party when Matty Taylor’s dead”. Many supporters took to social media after the game to condemn the singing of it.

“I was expecting a bit of volatility, so it was nice to get a goal,” Taylor added. “I’ve said before I enjoyed my