Football Garner delighted with the progress of his young guns
THEY may not have got the win they deserved, but Ben Garner is delighted with the progress of Bristol Rovers’ young guns.
Five academy graduates featured for the Gas in their 1-1 draw at Oxford United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, including teenagers Tom Mehew, Zain Walker and Kieran Phillips.
Mehew, son of club legend David, in particular starred, scoring in the second EFL Trophy game in succession after a thumping longrange strike against Walsall last month.
The 19-year-old’s 12th-minute opener had the Gas on course for victory before Luke Leahy’s late penalty miss was swiftly followed by Derick Osei Yaw’s equaliser.
The hosts claimed the bonus point after winning the shootout 4-3, but Garner was pleased with the performance of his young talents.
“I thought he (Tom) was outstanding,” said Garner. “He was excellent, his use of the ball, his vision. Physically he’s developing, he’s learning all the time. He’s come a long, long way from day one of pre-season to where we are now, as has Zain Walker.
“He’s (Zain) developing into a man now, he’s understanding the physical and defensive side of the game, and put in a great shift tonight. Two young lads and we’re really pleased with both of them.”
Phillips won the penalty inside the final five minutes after coming off the bench for his senior debut, and the Rovers boss was glad to see him back in action after some fitness concerns.
“He’s been really unlucky with injuries, really unlucky, so great for him to get on the pitch,” said Garner.
“Even in the short period of time on the pitch I think he found it
He was excellent, his use of the ball, his vision. Physically he’s developing, he’s learning all the time
tough physically and the intensity of the game, but he’ll be better for that experience.”
The youthful Gas side dominated for the most part and teed up plenty of chances. The finishing touch wasn’t there and Garner believes the outcome of the game taught his inexperienced players a lesson in being clinical.
He continued: “We just didn’t take our chances when we had the opportunities. Obviously we missed a penalty, which happens at
times, but we had enough opportunities to kill the game earlier on.
“As a performance, very good, we just have to be more ruthless.
“Some of the young attacking players in there today maybe don’t get the importance that in terms of academy football, you might get another chance.
“You might not get that in firstteam football, so we’ve got to work on becoming more ruthless and having that killer instinct to kill games off.”