Williams deserved his wonder goal, says Bristol Rovers boss Trollope
Paul Trollope hailed the wonder strike from Bristol Rovers' supersub Andy Williams that snatched a dramatic stoppage-time win at Southampton.
The striker capped off a memorable night for the Pirates by curling home a sublime left-foot shot into the top corner to clinch a 3-2 victory for the visitors, after they had twice fought back from behind.
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Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope
The victory was Bristol Rovers' fourth in a five-game unbeaten run which keeps them third in the table, a point behind second-placed Charlton.
And manager Trollope felt Williams' first goal for the club since the opening game of last season was fitting reward after fighting his way off the transfer list with a series of impressive displays from the bench.
"The goal belonged at the top level. Andy's impact was very good and he gave us fresh impetus," said Trollope.
"It was fitting that he scored the winning goal with a great strike.
"In his first year with us his general play was of a high order but he couldn't find the finishes it warranted.
"It was great for him that he came up with an end product like that.
"He's making good progress and improving all the time, both mentally and physically. It gives me a headache when I come to pick the team for Norwich on Saturday.
"He didn't get the games or goals during his loan spell at Hereford last season to give him the kick-start he needed, but he deserves what he's getting now.
"He showed real resilience after being placed on the transfer list and he's proved me and Lennie (Lawrence, director of football) wrong.
"If he keeps contributing as he has over the last few games, he's got a big future with us. His skill and pace causes tiring defences problems."
Trollope was delighted with the response from his side after Chris Dickson and Jo Kuffour cancelled out strikes from Adam Lallana and former Gas hero Rickie Lambert.
"Southampton caused us a lot of problems, especially through central areas in the first half, and went ahead in the first minute after the break," added Trollope.
"But our players showed fantastic spirit to bounce back, put them under pressure and get back in the game.
"We were pleased with the response after going behind a second time.
"The level of our play is improving all the time and if the players can show that resilience when things go against them, and also produce the quality they did to get back in the game, we could get a lot of good results this season.
"It was a high-quality game that was a fantastic advert for League One and wouldn't have looked out of place in the Championship."
Trollope also praised the display from keeper Mikkel Andersen after the giant Dane produced a clutch of crucial stops to keep Bristol Rovers in the game.
"We were under pressure in spells of the game but he produced some saves that he made to look comfortable but were in fact very good ones – including one from probably the best chance of the game," said Trollope.
"He's done that on a number of occasions and to produce a performance like that – especially when he was feeling ill before the game – shows his mental strength."
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by Robogas, Kingswood
Thursday, October 01 2009, 7:37PM
“More like Meat ed the red, 10 :-)
Oh you lot are drinking something far too strong which shows a poor mental age is a general problem down the gate, duh. You have struggled to score even 1 goal per game during your time in the championship, but your too daft to notice that. You were all saying that you would beat us 4-0 home and away a couple of years back, if I remember rightly you didn't score 1 goal in 3 hours of football and didn't even look like scoring :-) Nothing has changed with your goal scoring problems whereas we don't have a problem scoring and have improved a great deal as a team since we outclassed you the last time that we met.
As for the game at Southampton I have been feeling for weeks now that we would take 3pts from this game, but not in the dramatic manner that we did!! It was both frustrating and exhilarating, we showed them too much respect, but came through strongly in the end thanks to super sub Andy Williams :-)”
by Kev Francomb, Bristol
Thursday, October 01 2009, 8:57AM
“Trust a City fan to come on here and make an idiot of himself. Ed the Red 10 - 0 ..... really. Take a minute to watch one of our games and you'll see were actually playing better football than you at the moment. When Trolls said the game wouldnt look out of place in the championship, he was'nt joking. Rovers are keeping the ball well, creating good chances and working there socks off.
If Rovers played City right now I'd back Rovers to beat you like they beat you last time. Our team just has more passion than yours.
Couple of the guys in my work are season ticket holders for City. One of them is refusing to go at the moment, because he's not happy with the way your playing. You wont here that from a Rovers fan right now.
Keep your silly comments on the City pages where they belong”
by ben, bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 12:04PM
“it says that lambert scored last night??”
by rhys, work
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 12:04PM
“I agree Dan, Anderson was easily man of the match, he made 3 or 4 crucial saves to keep us in the game.
however lets not take away from the rest of the team, what was an incredibly heartful performance, they never game up in a single instance, the only fault i have was in jeff hughes. He was never tight enough to his man on the left wing and he was allowed to get far to many crosses in, one of which rickie lambert hit the cross bar with a header from, although when that cam eback of the cross bar, coles or anthony should of just smashed it out for a corner.
But all in all a fantastic game, and was nice for the lads to come over at the end of the game and show their appreciation to the 3000 fans that travelled south and sang their hearts out, i can hardly speak today thats for sure.”
by dan, downend
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:52AM
“lets not get carried away if it wasn't for our keeper we would of lost last night he kept us in the game. Williams has to replace the useless wright on saturday. We aren't far from being a decent team who should achieve a top ten finish this season.”
by rhys, work
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:32AM
“"in the most unlikely event that you ever get out of league one would you really want to come to the gate to be humiliated and loose 10 nil? "
ed the red, bristol
Sorry Ed when was the last time you won by more than 2 goals??? boxing day 2008 i believe. and statistically after the win yesterday trollope is manager of the month as he has the best record for september.
We have faith in our manager and our club, shame you boys down at trashton flame your manager for your recent run of s*it results its just proving the facts.
theres only eon team in bristol! one team in bristol!!!!
BRFC!”
by Stephen, Staple Hill
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:11AM
“Come on Ed, when was the last time City scored 10 in a game. Normally scrape it by the odd goal isnt it? Whats your goal difference so far this season, +1 isnt it...... Go steady now”
by ed the red, bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 10:52AM
“in the most unlikely event that you ever get out of league one would you really want to come to the gate to be humiliated and loose 10 nil?”
by Rhys, Work
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 10:00AM
“Kev Francomb i would liek to re-itterate your comments, an absolutley fantastic night, we sang our hearts out in the Northam stand, went behind twice but never let it get us down, we kept on willing the boys for another goal and the goals kept on coming. we had the ball in the back of the net 6 times last night but only 3 goals on the scoreboard, due to some dodgy decisions by both the linesman and ref. But we cam away with the 3 points.
Andy williams once again was fantastic, his pace and ability makes it nigh on impossible for defenders to track him and he thoroughly deserved that wonder goal.
As for andy williams deserving a starting place i agree, although i think he has much more impact coming on as a sub, if he starts getting in the starting 11 he may become complacent and start becoming laid back, wheras if he is coming on at half time as a sub then he keeps thinking he has to prove himself and will therfore continue to put in these magnificent performances.
Rovers have proved now that they show a never-say-die attitude these season, several games we have been behind or drawing going into the last 3 rd of the game and have pulled it out of the bag to get the 3 points. but that is how teams get promotion.
winning ugly i belive its called but we will take that all day long.
Lets keep it up lads and who knows we may be playign the women in red down at the gate next season!
COME ON ROVERS!!! COME ON YOU BLUES!!!”
by Nicko, Chew Valley
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 9:56AM
“Amazing finish to an amazing night! The lads got their reward for a brave and positive away display. Previous Gas teams may have sat back for a point - perhaps this season really will be special...
3000+ Gas singing their hearts out too. Great show as usual!
And now you're gonna believe us, and now you're gonna believe us!”