Yates says half-time 'rollicking' was key to Grimsby win

SWINDON TOWN extended their lead at the top of the league to two points following a comfortable 3-1 win over an in-form Grimsby Town. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi spoke to goalscorer Jerry Yates following the win.

A first-half that saw Swindon frustrated, was followed up by a blistering ten-minute spell at the start of the second-half which saw Town race into a 3-0 lead before James Hanson pulled a goal back for the Mariners. 

Jerry Yates stated that the half-time scolding they received from Richie Wellens was the driving force behind their impressive second-half showing. 

"We went into half-time and had a bit of a rollicking, so the lads came out and reacted unbelievably straight away," revealed Yates. 

"It was nice to get the two-goal lead and then the third one came and it was a good reaction from the lads.

"We just needed to take more care of possession and be more positive going forward. 

"When [Wellens] told us that at half-time we knew we needed a reaction," he added.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring as he stabbed home from close-range, and Yates revealed how glad he was to be back amongst the goals for Swindon.

"It was a long time coming so I was buzzing to get my goal," said Yates.

"The ball from DJ and the cut-back from Doyle was excellent play.

"It was one of the easier ones for me, but I think they're the best ones.

"I took a bit of a gamble and just ran into the box, it was an easy tap-in for me, I did the easy job." 

Since the start of December, Swindon have scored more league goals at home than any other side in the top-four divisions of English football, with 18 goals. Yates revealed that while Town have a lot of attack-minded players, it's the people who supply the chances who deserve the credit.

"It's nice to have strong attack-minded players, but it's about the people behind who do the hard work and keep the ball out the net, and provide us with the right passes," he said.

"It's just as much them from the back and midfield as it is us. 

"There's a good bond at the minute and the lads are putting a lot of hard work in."

The win means Swindon haven't lost a league game at home since September, and Yates believes that the fans have played a massive part in the impressive form at the County Ground this season. 

"The fans have been the 12th man," stated Yates.

"They scream and shout our names for 90 minutes and there's nothing better.

"They push us forward, they motivate us and we just try and win for them and long may it continue." 

Having impressed at Town so far, bagging 14 goals in all competitions, fans will be keen to see Yates return to SN1 beyond this season. However, the Rotherham-loanee revealed that he hasn't thought too much about his future, and is instead focussing on helping Swindon win promotion.

"I haven't thought about it. I think Rotherham are going to extend my contract," he said.

"To be fair I'm not really that bothered about it [his future]. Get this season out the way, go up as champions which is my main goal and see what happens in the summer. 

"I think it's out of my hands, to be honest," Yates added.