Iron manager Mark Robins has described the 1-0 Boxing Day victory at Doncaster Rovers as “a great Christmas present.”
Paddy Madden bagged the only goal of the game in the opening period to ensure United picked up all three points in what was a fiercely contested local derby match.Naturally thrilled with the win, Robins told The Iron PlayerHD: “What we got today was a brilliant away performance.
“You’re hard pressed to try and find anything that wasn’t good in the game.
“When we passed it, took a bit of time on the ball and moved it properly, I thought we were really good.
“We caused them problems without being gung-ho, we were nice and solid and we kept a clean sheet away from home against a side that we’ve lost against in our last nine games here.
“We managed to get the win and get onto 30 points which was what we were looking for, it’s put us in a great position for Monday (against Rochdale) and it’s a great Christmas present for everyone.”
Arguably the better of the two teams in the first-half, the Iron went head when Madden finished a teasing low cross from Luke Williams at the back post.
Ever pleased to see his talisman find the net, Robins also heaped praise on Stephen Dawson, who made a return to the side following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
“Paddy’s goal is absolutely magnificent for him because he’s always looking for his next one,” the manager continued.
“It’s not come from the penalty spot, it’s come from open play and he’s got himself in a really good position and stuck it in the back of the net.
“Overall I’m delighted with the commitment and passion - all the things you’re looking for in a local derby game.
“Stephen Dawson showed us what we’ve been missing and he never lets you down with his energy and desire.
“Everybody else followed his lead and he just needs to keep up that level of performance now.
“They threw everything at us but we created good opportunities for ourselves so it was a really good away performance against a side that we haven’t historically done well against.”
Another pleasing factor to come out of the afternoon’s work was the clean sheet and Robins was also full of compliments for his back four and goalkeeper, who managed to keep a free-scoring Rovers side out.
He added: “Luke Daniels was commanding in his area when he needed to be but he didn’t really have to make that many saves.
“We were playing against two decent strikers in Andy Williams and Nathan Tyson and then Dany N’Guessan came on at the end so there were lots of different threats.
“I thought our two fullbacks defended really well and Mirf (David Mirfin) coming back in after three weeks out was phenomenal.
“We can enjoy this, it has come just down the road and we’re on the 30 point mark now.
“We want a really good second half of the season and it’s a great way to start the Christmas programme.”
See much more from Mark Robins, Stephen Dawson and Paddy Madden on The Iron PlayerHD.
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