FOOTBALL- ‘We played our style,’ says Spice Boy Mitchell

LONDON, CMC – Grenada international Kairo Mitchell has hailed Rochdale’s brand of football after scoring twice to propel the northwest England side to a 4-1 thrashing of Eastleigh in the National League on Saturday.

The 26-year-old netted a goal in either half as Rochdale won their second on the bounce to remain unbeaten in three outings, following back-to-back defeats.“Of course, it’s enjoyable,” Mitchell said in a post-game interview.

“I think you can see it on everyone’s faces, the confidence in the team and the way we performed today.

“It was very dominant. We kept the ball well, and we played our style of football well, even though we conceded a goal, which we’re heartbroken about, and how we did it. “We never felt stressed. We just kept playing our stuff.”

Mitchell scored in the 28th minute after being put through by Devante Rodney, but Eastleigh hit back three minutes later when Paul McCallum headed in Scott Quigley’s cross.

Jimmy Keohane restored the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half-time, but Rodney (71st) and Mitchell (79th) scored in eight minutes to end the contest.

“It was a good day at the office – 4-1 is a dominant performance, which is the most important thing,” Mitchell explained.

“As long as we perform well, the result should take care of itself, and we always aim to achieve this.

“It may not always go right, but that’s something we’re looking to do, and [Saturday] was just an outcome alongside a good performance, so it was a good day.”

For Mitchell, the brace lifted his tally for the season to 14 and was his fourth goal since returning from a 2-½ month layoff in February.

“That was a setback for myself and a bit disappointing, but I tried to keep my head down and focus on getting back fit and picking up where I left off. I feel like I’m in a bit of a groove now,” Mitchell said.

And of the goals, he added: “I think it was a good press. Credit to Dev (Devante Rodney) as well; he held the ball up well for me and then slipped me in, so he was unselfish as well.

“And with the second one, I was a bit fortunate, but if you don’t shoot, you don’t score. It was a nice fortune, but I’ll take it.”

Rochdale lie 10th in the National League standings.