Garner says sorry to fans after Bristol Rovers reign begins with home defeat - 7M sport

Garner says sorry to fans after Bristol Rovers reign begins with home defeat



Posted Friday, December 27, 2019 by PA

Garner says sorry to fans after Bristol Rovers reign begins with home defeat

Ben Garner apologised to fans after his first match in charge of Bristol Rovers ended in a 2-1 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

An attendance of more than 9,000 saw Wimbledon come from behind to take the points with two second-half goals.

Rovers took a 43rd-minute lead when Jonson Clarke-Harris rifled home a controversial penalty after Abu Ogogo went down under a challenge from Rod McDonald.

But Wimbledon levelled on 70 minutes, Marcus Forss netting from close range before turning provider for Joe Pigott’s 84th-minute winner.

Garner, appointed on Monday to replace Graham Coughlan, said: “The turnout was amazing, as was the reception I received from Gas supporters, and I can only apologise to them for the result.

“It was disappointing and the players admitted afterwards that they had dropped below their recent standards set this season.

“It was good to hear that honesty in the dressing room. The first half was really encouraging and it would have been fairer if we had gone in for the interval 2-0 up.

“Unfortunately, we had what we felt was a good goal disallowed, but I was really pleased with our approach play.

“In the second half Wimbledon went more direct and won a lot of second balls. We stopped doing some of the things we were doing well.

“But overall there were a lot of positives. Now we move on quickly to Fleetwood and will be doing all we can to bounce back quickly.”

Dons boss Glyn Hodges was unhappy about the penalty award and said: “It gave us a mountain to climb. The assistant referee told me it was for handball and then the referee said it was for a high boot, so who knows?

“These things happen in football and you have to get on with it. The great thing was the way the players responded in the second half when we played really well.

“Nobody expected us to win here today because it is a very tough place to visit and they had a new manager. But Boxing Day always tends to throw up a surprise result or two.

“We have been trying to work out ways of starting games faster and will continue to try and improve in that respect. But the lads deserve a lot of credit for the second half.

“Anyone can beat anyone in League One and I’m pleased with the progress we are making.

“Our next opponents Oxford United are flying, so that will be another tough test, but it’s good to have a couple of home games to show what we are capable of doing.”

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