Football Stewart: Now we must build on Trophy win in the league
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It is a win to get some momentum and get some confidence into people, that is all it is
BRISTOL Rovers have to back up their 2-1 victory over Swansea City Under-21s on Wednesday when they face Doncaster Rovers before they can start celebrating.
That was the message from Rovers’ assistant manager Marcus Stewart.
Alex Jakubiak scored a late winner for the Gas to help them come from behind to win. Jordan Garrick put the Swans ahead early in the second half, before Tony Craig clawed a goal back with a header to set up an exciting finish.
Stewart said: “For the first time this season we have come back and won a game. It is nice to get a winner in the last three minutes when it was looking like it was going to be penalties. It was a very important goal.”
But he was keen to point out no one is getting carried away about a victory in the Checkatrade Trophy second round when the club are stuck in the relegation zone in League One, having lost their last five games in all competitions before the win at Swansea.
He said: “We are on the bend, we have not turned any corner yet.
“It is a win to get some momentum and get some confidence into people, that is all it is.
“But we go into the game on Saturday having won a game, albeit it’s a Wednesday night and we lose a bit of recovery; but that is how it is and we have to get a result on Saturday at home, we know that.
“That is the be all and end all, if I am honest with you.
“Of course, the players are happy because it is about getting to the next round of the cup. If you are not happy winning a game, then there is something wrong. Likewise, if you lose a game and are still happy, there is something wrong there.
“The lads know we are through to the next round, but I could tell straight away their minds were on the next game almost. Within 15, 20 minutes of being in that dressing room, people were talking about their preparation, what we do in the next 24 hours to be ready for Saturday. It is a job done, but there is another job to be done soon.”
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Bristol Rovers: Bonham, Partington, Lockyer, Craig, Kelly, Bennett, O Clarke, Sercombe, Rodman, Payne, Nichols. Doncaster: Lawlor, Mason, Andrew, Butler, Anderson, Whiteman, Rowe, Kane, Blair, Marquis, May.