Darren Way vows to fight on as Yeovil boss despite sixth straight league defeat

Posted Sunday, February 17, 2019 by PA

Bullish Yeovil boss Darren Way has vowed to fight on after his side fell to a chastening sixth successive defeat.

Yeovil fans were calling for his head after the Glovers dropped closer to the relegation zone at promotion-chasing Forest Green.

Forest Green striker Junior Mondal scored his first goal on his full league debut since his January move from non-league Whitby Town.

Christian Doidge added a second and captain Lee Collins grabbed a third after the break.

Mark Cooper’s side opened the scoring after 22 minutes when Reece Brown and Paul Digby combined for the ball to drop to Mondal who stabbed beyond Nathan Baxter.

Forest Green were completely on the front foot and made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later as Doidge flicked in at the near post from George Williams’ pin-point corner.

Rovers put the game to bed in the 58th minute as Collins smashed home in the area from a Williams corner.

Yeovil fans held a ‘Way Out’ banner throughout the game, but the Yeovil boss remains defiant.

“It’s a low moment. This team needs time. We have to make sure we stay in the football league,” he said.

“I understand fans have to shout at someone. If I have to take the bullets, like I have for three years, then I will take it.

“I have been hit head on with a vehicle and it was a life and death situation so I am strong enough to deal with that.

“I am not scared of that. Players need to be accountable for their performances. That’s what scares me.

“I took over this club when it was bottom of the league and kept it in the league.

“When there is a bad smell at a place it starts to spread. And I don’t want that to spread into the dressing room.”

Cooper was pleased to see his side get back to winning ways after back-to-back league defeats.

“It was a good performance and a game we were expected to win – and we looked comfortable,” Cooper said.

“We decided to play a back four and we looked rigid and strong. Farrend Rawson came back into the team, and when he’s bright – he’s a good defender, but when he has a dopey day, he’s not.

“We have had to change our style and go a little more direct because the pitch isn’t in a good shape.”

Cooper was delighted with the impact of Mondal who caught the eye in training.

He added: “Junior has been electric in training and his performance on Friday got him in the team – he was scoring from everywhere and he works his socks off and he deserved his goal.”

And Cooper was delighted with the impact of Collins who came in from the cold for his first start of the season.

“It has been a tough time for the boy this year but not once has he moaned and he’s trained like a demon every day and today he was outstanding with Paul Digby in the middle of the pitch and he scored a goal, so I’m chuffed to bits for him – a great professional and a great lad.”