Darren Moore praised his team’s professionalism as they ran out 7-1 winners at Southend United in Sky Bet League One.
The Shrimpers went down to 10 men just six minutes after kick-off but took the lead through an Isaac Hutchinson free kick. However, Rovers remained patient as they launched a formidable comeback equalling a club record of seven goals scored away from home.
“Credit goes to the players, they showed complete professionalism from the first minute to the last,” said Moore.
“We said to take the game away from them we had to manage the ball and that meant being in possession. If you’ve got possession, there’s very little the opposition can do. We moved the ball with purpose and precision and when the opportunities arose, we took them.
“I’m delighted with the team’s performance and the three points - we’ve come away as worthy winners.”
Kwame Thomas got two of Rovers' seven goals and got off the mark in style with an impressive diving header. Ben Sheaf also got his first goal in a Rovers shirt and Alfie May registered his first league goal of the season while Kieran Sadlier and Ben Whiteman both added to their tallies.
“I’m delighted for Kwame. You know with strikers that they want to score, and we felt that it was the right game for him – he’s come in and scored two wonderful goals,” added Moore.
“He’s come in and worked his socks off on the trial period and we felt he could give us a different dynamic and dimension. It means that if teams sit back, it allows us to put the ball into the box and we’ve got a big striker who can get on the end of things. It gives us a different profile of striker.
“It’s good to see that we shared the goals around, and good to see Sadlier get another. Alfie May’s goal – with the pass, the timing of the run and composure of the finish – was excellent, some of the goals we scored were very good.”
