United’s Dutch striker Kevin van Veen was thrilled to play a huge part in his side’s comeback on Saturday.
Newly-promoted Bristol Rovers looked to announce their arrival to League One in fashion, only to be stopped by a determined Iron side.Matty Taylor fired the visitors into the lead after 30 minutes, and Rovers continued to pile the pressure on during the first half as they looked to extend their lead.
Thankfully, the second half was a completely different story, as the Iron dominated the possession and chances. Thanks to wonder strikes from van Veen, Josh Morris and a neat finish from Kyle Wootton, United were able to end the match with a comfortable 3-1 victory.
“I think we were a little bit rusty in the first half,” van Veen told The Iron PlayerHD.
“But in the second we outclassed them and we got three really good goals.
“At half time, the gaffer told us to keep doing what we were because we have so much quality in the team, and the second half showed that straight up.”
Clearly happy to announce his return to Glanford Park in fashion, following a loan spell in his native Holland in the second half of last season, van Veen described his goal.
“I just saw the goal back and because the bounce was that high I had to peddle back, and the ball was really behind me, but I hit it so clean and with a lot of pace on the ball, it was a really nice goal," he said.
“It wasn’t one of my best though, this season there will be more of that to come."
Despite his brief exit from the club, the fans’ love for their Dutchman has never cooled, and van Veen was keen to praise the Iron faithful, and promises to pay them back during the course of what could be a thrilling season.
He stated: “I feel very good when they are singing my name, and it tickles me inside a little bit. I try to give it my all, and when I scored a lot of emotion let loose.
“They’ve always been great to me, and I will always pay them respect back.”
On another day there would have been no other contender for goal of the week, but van Veen's team-mate Josh Morris decided to put in a claim for his name to take the award too.
The Dutch striker added: “I think my goal was technically good, Josh’s had so much pace on the ball and he hit it so clean, it was a really nice goal – and Kyle’s was a good set up from Hak’s, and he finished it good as well.”
Despite the Iron being behind for a large chunk of the game, van Veen claims the end result was never in doubt in his mind.
He said: “Even when we went behind in the first half I was really feeling like we were going to win the game today, and I think in everyone’s head we were still positive.
“We’ve got a lot of quality, and when you see the bench too, so it’s going to be a good season for us.”
See much more from Kevin van Veen, Graham Alexander and Josh Morris on The Iron PlayerHD.
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