A double from John Taylor inspired Bristol Rovers to an impressive win over Fulham at a sunny Twerton Park this afternoon.
Taylor, who joined Rovers after cutting his teeth under John Beck at Cambridge United until a dispute over tactics saw the lanky striker seek pastures new, utterly tormented Simon Morgan and Terry Angus in a devastating display of striking prowess. Fulham began promisingly enough as Udo Onwere chipped just over the crossbar, but shot themselves in the foot by conceding a dreadful goal in the twelfth minute.
John Marshall was caught out by a sharp Rovers counter attack and when the utility man underhit a backpass in the direction of Jim Stannard, Taylor nipped in to open the scoring. Fulham struggled to create chances until just before the half time break when Martin Ferney fashioned an opening for Sean Farrell but Brian Parkin made a magnificent sprawling save.
Marshall was switched to right back at the start of the second half as Don Mackay replaced Duncan Jupp with Peter Baah to try and nullify Lee Archer, but the home side scored a crucial second within ten minutes of the restart. Onwere only partially cleared a cross from substitute Mike Davis and Taylor spun to strike his second of the afternoon to the delight of the home fans.
Onwere then had a goal disallowed from Fulham’s next attack for handball and Sean Farrell was denied by a brilliant reaction save. Hope was restored through a cute back header from Julian Hails after unselfish play from the persistent Farrell. Terry Angus and Martin Pike went close as the Whites pushed for a late leveller, but Rovers were good value for a deserved victory.
BRISTOL ROVERS: Parkin; Tillson, Clark, Maddison, Archer, Channing, Browning (Davis 45), Waddock, Skinner, J. Taylor, Stewart (Alexander 70).
GOALS: J. Taylor (12, 55).
FULHAM: Stannard; Angus (Cooper 80), Pike, Jupp (Baah 45), Marshall, Morgan, Ferney, Hails, Onwere, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Harrison.
GOAL: Hails (70).
REFEREE: Ken Leach (Wolverhampton).
ATTENDANCE: 5,261.
