Scunthorpe United interim boss Tony Daws insisted the Iron’s victory over Dorking Wanderers tested every inch of emotion, as United came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, claiming our second triumph of the season.
Having been unlucky not to emerge victorious against York City last week, our players showed great heart and determination to turn the scoreline on its head, with three different players finding the net at Glanford Park.
Speaking to Iron Player following the win, Daws began by saying: "It was a rollercoaster ride today wasn’t it. Two different teams out there for us and in the first half I said at half time to them that was nowhere near good enough, then the second half - wow. What a performance and I am absolutely delighted. So happy."
Ryan Seager and Niall McManus had fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead during the first half, before goals from Caolan Lavery, Jacob Butterfield and George Taft sealed the Iron’s comeback during the second 45 minutes.
Insisting his side's performance wasn’t good enough early on, Daws admitted at times he questioned whether lady luck would be on United’s side.
"It looked like it wouldn't happen today," he added. "I must say they were much better than us in the first half and they passed the ball really well and we were off the pace. The tempo wasn't good enough, the work ethic wasn't good enough and Nels [Michael Nelson] and I got into the players at half time, in the right way and we sorted it out.
"We changed in terms of how we were playing and credit to the lads as they took it on board, they took the game to the opposition second half and it was like a steam train in the end when we were flying forward and creating chances. It was just whether we could get that winning goal and fortunately enough we managed to get it."
A debut goal for new signing Lavery opened the floodgates at Glanford Park, before the former Bradford City man turned provider by laying on the games winning goal for defender George Taft in the dying embers.
"[I’m] really pleased,’’ Daws began. "I’ve just looked at the goals back now and Rob [Apter] has done well for the first goal and Lavs [Caolan Lavery] has made a good run from the left side to central and Rob has played a great ball through to him.
"Lavs has then showed great quality when he’s through one-on-one and he’s sat the defender down, faked to shoot and then dragged the ‘keeper down and then just curled into the right hand side, it’s a terrific goal and he also did well with the last goal by clipping a lovely ball in for Tafty [George Taft] to head in as well. I’m really pleased."
Praising the support shown during the 90 minutes, our interim boss credited the never-say-die attitude of everyone inside the stadium, who helped rally his side to victory.
"The whole of the fans in the ground were brilliant in the second half and once they saw the momentum coming and the lads went through the gears, first half we were probably in first gear and that wasn't right, second half they came out a different team. The momentum, the running, the tempo, the effort, the commitment, the quality, the fans were great because they were great as they got behind us. It was brilliant."
Stretching our unbeaten run to three games too, momentum is starting to build within the camp, with our interim boss also insisting both he and his players are not keen on getting carried away just yet.
"I don’t know," added Daws, when asked if the turn is beginning to be turned.
"I hope so and I am just happy with the way that the lads have responded to what me and Nels are doing and saying. They have been brilliant to work with and they do work hard, but we have just said to them can we try to make sure that we score the first goal and not always have to come from behind because it’s not good for your heart. A couple of draws and a win, and every journey has to start somewhere."
See much more from Tony Daws on Iron Player.