Peter praises players attitude following entertaining win over Stevenage
Peter Taylor said his players showed great character to come from 1-0 down at half time to seal a fantastic 3-2 win over Stevenage at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday night.Simon Heslop put the visitors in front, but Danny Kedwell and debutant Donervon Daniels turned the tables early in the second half to give Gills the advantage.
Francois Zoko claimed an equaliser, but John Mousinho bagged his first goal for the club after 76 minutes to claim the winner.
Speaking after the game Peter said: “I think the players showed great character because things have been disappointing - losing to Brackley and then losing to Oldham Saturday, there was a big test for them.
“We didn’t think we deserved to be 1-0 down, but we were and you have to overcome that and I think the players did.
“I thought that was his [Danny Kedwell] best penalty since I’ve been here – I have seen him hit some strong ones but to me that one was unstoppable because it was put in a perfect position with good pace.
“That was a good start for us in the second half and it gave us a good chance to go on from there. We then go and score another good goal – a great ball from Craig Fagan to Donervon Daniels, he took it exceptionally well for a centre half because it wasn’t easy to score from that position.
“Then of course they go and get another goal which tests our character again, but they were terrific. The character was great and it was a great ball from Danny Hollands from the set piece and a great header from John.
“I think there is only so many times you can say a lack of confidence, you can say at times that players are nervous at home in front of a crowd, but you have to overcome that.
“In their careers there are going to be times where there is a hurdle you have to jump over and you have to do that. Tonight I thought we gave the crowd something to cheer about.
“On Saturday we gave them nothing to cheer about so when it was quiet I didn’t blame them because we didn’t really give them anything, but in the second half we gave them something to get behind us.
“If I was a Gills supporter going home tonight I would be delighted with the second half because the players showed great character, they scored three goals which is lovely in one half and we won the match so I’ll be going home much happier tonight.
“It was a tough game for the players and a big test. I told them on Monday they can forget days off if we keep performing like we did against Oldham and I said today that they have deserved their day off.”