After a 3 week break, Rovers returned to League 2 action this week when they hosted Black Boy FC at the Heath. After a run of 3 defeats on the trot in league and cup, the Blues were looking to get back to winning ways and getting their promotion push back on track. The one thing though that Rovers can always guarantee when they play the Boy is that they are in for a tough afternoon.
The game started very scrappily with both sides being wasteful in possession and with both defenses very much on top. As the game progressed though, the home side started to pose the greater threat going forward and looked most likely to get their noses in front first.
The Blues did indeed manage to break the deadlock on the 20 minute mark when Jamie Feltner controlled the ball well just outside the area and he was then able to pick his spot as he curled the ball past the Boy keeper to put Rovers 1 up.
Despite taking the lead and being on top in the game the Blues were pegged back shortly after when some sloppy defending from a corner saw the ball headed past Wayne Pottle in the Rovers' goal for the equaliser.
In a see saw 1st half the homeside continued to play the better football and managed to retake the league 10 minutes before the break, when Rovers' top scorer, Micky Cross, added to his impressive tally for the season, when he fired past the Boy keeper to make it 2-1.
With the home side being in front again they looked to push further forward in search of extending that lead and giving themsleves some breathing space in the game. The visitors had other ideas though and once again drew level 5 minutes later when the ball was slotted home by a Boy striker from what seemed an impossible angle.
Although disappointed not to have the lead at half time, the Blues knew that if they continued to boss the game and create chances that they stood a good chance of ending their losing streak.
Rovers continued to have the better of the proceedings after the break but were wasteful in front of goal when chances presented themselves and Black Boy continued to look dangerous on the break as Rovers got the tough match they expected.
The Blues did manage to take the lead for the 3rd time in the game when, on the hour mark, Rovers' frontman Micky Cross claimed his 2nd goal of the match when he slotted home from inside the area.
Determined not to let this lead slip, the goal seemed to settle Rovers down and allow them to play with a little more freedom and that freedom was rewarded 10 minutes later when Tim Hodge found the ball at his feet inside the visitor's area and after a little nifty footwork, he was able to fire the Blues into a 4-2 lead.
The goal seemed to knock the visitor's confidence and they rarely threatened the Rovers' goal after this and the Blues were able to hold on quite comfortably and claim the 3 points they desperately needed.
Manager Paul Winstone, was very pleased with the result and with the fitness level of the Blues considering they had not played for 3 weeks. The win sees Rovers remain top of the table as the chasing pack continue to close in on them.
Rovers will have to be at their very best next Saturday when they face title rivals Garboldisham FC in the big game of the day.
