After a week off last Saturday, Rovers returned to League 2 action this week, when they entertained Bacton United FC at The Heath and with results going their way last weekend, the Blues were looking to equal their club record of 6 league wins on the trot.
Paul Winstone was forced to make 2 changes from the side which beat Tollgate 2 weeks ago, with Jamie Feltner out injured and winger, Manu Falcao starting his new life in Germany. Ross Booty and Jason Sharwood were the 2 men drafted in.
With a gail blowing across the Heath the match began with the home side seeing plenty of possession but lacking that cutting edge when the ball entered the final 3rd of the field. Rovers certainly had the best of the opening period but for some reason left the good, patient football that they are capable of back in the changing room, instead playing far too many balls over the top which just got lost in the strong wind.
Rover's were punished for their sloppy start on 25 minutes, when after not clearing their lines, the Rover's defense were left looking at each other, as they all stood still, allowing one of the Bacton frontmen to slam the ball home from close range.
The goal seemed to be just the kick up the backside that the home side needed and within minutes of going behind they then decided to get the ball down and play some football and created a move which saw Rover's goal dynamo, Micky Cross, slot home the equaliser as he continued his unbelievable goal scoring run, now getting on the scoresheet for the 14th match on the trot.
Rover's pushed after drawing level but were unable to break Bacton down before the half time whistle sounded.
At the break Winstone tried to drum into his players just to be patient, keep the ball on the ground and play their football and the victory would surely come. Conditions were acting as a great leveller as far as the game was concerned but if the Blues did get the ball down they would hopefully be too strong for their visitors.
Rovers did just as instructed after the restart and although still not playing at their best, they did start to knock the ball around and create some good chances which they unfortunately were unable to take due to some fine goalkeeping from the Bacton No.1
Rovers were handed the chance to take the lead for the first time in the game on the hour when, a fine individual run by Tiernan Boland, saw him brought down clumsily in the Bacton area and the home side were awarded a penalty. Boland picked himself up and placed the spot kick but another fine save by the Bacton keeper, saw him push the ball onto the post and keep the scores level.
Despite this disappointment Rovers kept the pressure on their visitors and finally got their noses in front when Lee Glacken was able to bundle the ball home from close range after 65 minutes.
Finally being in front seemed to calm the Blues down and they then began to dominate the game fully and 5 minutes after going ahead the Blues looked to have made the game safe, when Micky Cross was able to fire home his 2nd and Rover's 3rd goal of the afternoon.
As Bacton heads dropped, Rovers were able to easily control proceedings, as the game entered the final 15 minutes and were able to give the match a slightly flattering look when Rover's half time substitute, Ian Murfit, finished off a fine passing move by firing the ball past the Bacton keeper for the Blue's 4th.
Murfit then doubled his tally 5 minutes later and completed the scoring for the home side, when he painfully took one for the team as the ball was slammed into his most delicate of regions as he burst into the box. Despite his pain he was able to keep control of the ball and slammed a shot past the keeper and into the Bacton net to seal the victory.
The slightly flattering scoreline sees Rovers consolidate their 9 point lead at the top of league 2, a lead which they will look to extend next Saturday, when they play the only league 2 fixture of the day, when they travel to Northumberland Avenue to face Black Eagles FC
