Fantastic performance from Rovers to cap a great week for the club. The only disappointment is that we did not score more goals, as we could easily have had four or five; we were by far the better side and fully deserved the win.
I was slightly surprised by the adventurous starting line up, but in fairness to Micky he got the tactics and team selection spot on. Early in the first half Exeter were able to get at our back four fairly easily, and I wondered if it was a mistake not starting with Laird. However, Molyneux gradually came into the game and put in a superb performance, creating one goal and nearly setting up another, and as the match progressed we got a stranglehold on midfield. The first half was fairly even but we edged it, and I was disappointed not go in ahead at half time. We had a lot of good, controlled possession in midfield and created the better opportunities, and their equaliser was frustrating; a silly free kick given away twenty yards out and a shot which Fonners should have saved (the rest of his game today, including the marshalling of his box, was excellent). Our goal was a quality move, involving Odejayi and Molyneux.
In the second half, we ran their arses ragged, completely dominating. The front three caused them all sorts of problems, and in addition to Max's penalty we should have scored a couple more goals. Exeter did hit the bar through Sercombe late on, but it would have been a travesty if we had not won the game. Throughout the match the forwards really pressed their defence to prevent them playing out from the back, and some of our passing movements were excellent. In short, with the new additions to the squad and the skill and movement we have in attacking areas, we simply had too much quality for Exeter in the second half, something we have not been able to say about a Rovers team for some time. There were a number of outstanding individual displays: Odejayi, Molyneux and the two centre backs were immense; Liam Ridehalgh had his best game of the season so far; Taylor was an able deputy for Holmes at right back; the two strikers flanking Kayode were a constant menace. Man of the match, however, was Steven Jennings, back to his imperious best.
We should bear in mind that Exeter are a decent side, yet we beat them convincingly today. Although some results went against us this afternoon, with the quality we now have I think we will be well away from relegation in May; with this squad I fancy our chances of going to any team in the division and getting a result.
