WILLIAMS: I WON’T WALK OUT
UNDER-FIRE Swindon boss Luke Williams took a swipe at his critics after Billy Bodin’s goal increased the threat of a prolonged relegation battle.
Insisting he would never quit, Williams suggested that a section of fans are willing him to fail.
He said: “It’s the toughest experience of my life in football at the moment, but not the toughest experience of my life in general, because it is a wonderful gift to be able to work in the game.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to show my colours and prove myself.
“I hear people trying to make their point and urge me to quit, hoping I will crumble under what they perceive to be pressure.
“That is not the man I am. I have sacrificed a huge amount to work for Swindon Town. I live in the town and love the club.
“The group of men in our dressing room are hugely important to me and I will never turn my back on them or stop trying for them.”
Bodin, who was brought up at Swindon and whose father Paul was a Robins favourite, decided a low-key west country derby with a 29th-minute shot from just outside the box.
The ball hit the inside of one post and rolled along the goalline to strike the other upright before spinning into the net.
It was enough to beat a Swindon side whose best efforts came in the closing stages when shots from Ben Gladwin and John Goddard were deflected wide.
Rovers manager Darrell Clarke said: “It was a cracking strike from Billy, who has that in his locker.
“I was disappointed that we didn’t go in at half-time with a bigger lead.
“You have to credit Swindon because they cleared a couple of balls off the line and gave everything for the cause.
“They came back into the game a bit in the second half, without causing us many problems.
“It’s a clean sheet, which is something we need to build on.
“I thought Ryan Sweeney didn’t put a foot wrong for us on his debut and we defended solidly throughout. I can’t remember Joe Lumley having a save of note to make.
“We had a game plan to press Swindon high up the field and the players executed it really well. I’m delighted.” Nineteen-year-old Sweeney, on loan until the end of the season from Stoke City, was a giant in the centre of Rovers’ defence and almost marked his debut with a goal but his first-half header was cleared off the line. Matt Taylor hit the crossbar with a 77th-minute rocket from outside the box as Rovers created most of the clear chances. Swindon’s committed display lacked a cutting edge and they could have no complaints.