Connor Taylor believes that the removal of replays worked in Bristol Rovers‘ favour after they defeated Weston-super-Mare 3-1 after extra-time in the FA Cup first round.
The Gas took the lead in the first half when Jamie Lindsay latched onto the end of an Isaac Hutchinson cross and squeezed his shot past Max Harris. However, Weston found an equaliser in the second half when Jordan Bastin smashed his shot under Josh Griffiths.
In the first period of extra-time, Taylor restored the lead when he headed in Luke McCormick’s cross before Grant Ward sealed the victory with a cracking effort from the edge of the box.
Rovers and Taylor will now take on League One rivals Barnsley at Oakwell in the second round of the competition, one which the centre-back has hope will play a big part in the side’s season.
This season is the first year since the decision to scrap replays was made and, speaking post-match, the 23-year-old said to Bristol Live: “That’s just football evolving. I think you hear all the stuff, especially the top boys moaning about how many games they’re playing so that’s probably the reason they’ve done it but yeah, it’s worked in our favour today but even if there was a replay we’d back ourselves to go there and win. We’re through to the next round and we’re positive going into the next game.
“I think an FA Cup run provides a distraction from league,” the defender added. “I think if you can get through the first couple of rounds, you put yourselves in the hat for a big tie, which we were so close to last year, but that’s what we will be looking to do again.
“It’s brilliant, the FA Cup. Everyone wants to do well in it so hopefully we can take that result into the league fixtures and go on a bit of a run.
“The objective before the game was to be in the hat so we’ve done that. Yes, it was probably harder than what we wanted but they’re never as easy as you think these ties. You saw last night with Huddersfield going out that there never as easy as you just turn up and they just roll over, it’s a cup final for them. Yes, we’ve got to be better, we understand that but at the end of the day we’ve won 3-1 and we’re through to the next round.
“I think we probably haven’t had that ninety-minute performance, we’ve been good in spells of games, it’s just about winning games of football at the end of the day, whether you play well or not. You’ve just got to make it a habit and hopefully then you can take it into the league football.”
Leading the line for the Seagulls on Saturday was former Football League striker Reuben Reid and in behind him was former Bristol City player Dylan Kadji, two players who provided a different experience to what Taylor is used to in League One.
In fact, Reid could have won the tie for Rovers’ non-league visitors with one of the last kicks of the game, forcing an excellent save from Griffiths.
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“Yeah, it’s never easy,” the centre-back admitted. “I had the biggest shock of my life when I was 16. I went to play in the lowest level of non-league football and I soon realised I had to toughen up. Like you come up against those type of players every week, that are experienced and have been about and know where to put their body to make it difficult for you. I thought we stood up to it in the end.”
The former Stoke City defender’s goal was his second in as many matches after also netting versus Exeter City in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. However, those efforts where his first goals in blue-and-white quarters for over two years having last scored as a loanee in May 2022 in the legendary 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United that secured promotion from League Two.
“I know I’ve been on a bit of a drought,” Taylor declared. “I think my last goal was the Scunthorpe game, so yeah, it’s been a long while to be fair and it’s something I need to add to my game, with my size I’ve got to chip in, every manager would expect me to chip in with at least four or five.
“It’s perfect, as soon as he crossed it in, I knew I’d scored before I’d even headed it, it was perfect, and I just got up above him and headed it in. you’re just waiting for that delivery and your eyes light up.”
Next up for Rovers is a home clash against Lincoln City in League One which is the third of four matches in a row at the Memorial Stadium.