After their 2nd half horrow show last Saturday, Rover's boss, Paul Winstone, was looking for an immediate response from his players, as they entertained bottom club, Hopton FC at The Heath.
With Andrew Clarke suspended and Jamie Feltner and Manu Falcao both missing, Rovers were forced into making 3 changes. Rob Green, Alistair Clarke and Timothy Hodge, deputised for the missing trio.
The games started with Rover's looking to stamp their authority on the match from the very beginning and they looked like they were going to get their noses in front after only 10 minutes, when Tiernan Boland was fouled in the visitor's area. Up stepped Micky Cross to try and score for the 8th consecutive match but his spot kick was well saved by the Hopton keeper.
Micky did not have to wait too long though to further extend his amazing scoring record, when he put Rovers into the lead 5 minutes later, with a cleve backwards header following a defensive mistake.
Rover's lead was doubled 5 minutes after going ahead, when Tiernan Boland got his name on the scoresheet, to give the home side a little breathing space.
The breathing space did not last long however, when for the 2nd week in a Row, Rovers were brilliantly punished from a direct free kick from just outside the area.
Despite the minor setback, Rovers found themselves 2 goals ahead not long after, when Tiernan Boland notched up his 2nd goal of the game to put the home side 3-1 up. It was only a further 5 minutes later when Boland completed a fine 1st half hat-trick to send Rovers into the break 4-1 up.
With the points looking safe, Paul Winstone sent Rovers out for the 2nd half unchanged and looking to use the 2nd period to boost their goal difference.
The home side began the 2nd period just as Winstone had demanded, going close on several occasions when perhaps they should have done better.
It was the visitors though who got on the scoresheet next, when centre half, Geoff Green, was caught in possession of the ball on the half way line, leaving the Hopton striker to burst clear and fire the ball past Clarke in the Rover's goal, from just outside the area.
Rovers were able to restore thier 3 goal advantage just 5 minutes later when top scorer, Micky Cross, netted his 2nd of the game and Rover's 5th, from close range.
With 25 minutes remaining, the visitors feint chance of staging a comeback were finally dashed, when they were reduced to 10 men following dissent shown towards referee, Gerry Keegan.
With the man extra, Rovers were able to attack at will for the last quarter of the game, but will feel a little disappointed only to have scored twice again against their beaten visitors. Firstly Timothy Hodge was able to net his 1st goal of the season with a fine individual effort to put the home side 6-2 up. Then skipper Justin McKensie headed home from a corner to complete the scoring with 10 minutes remaining.
Manager Paul Winstone was pleased that his side returned to winning ways after their defeat last week, although was a tiny bit disappointed not to have boosted their goal difference a little more.
The victory sees Rovers return to the top of League 2 although only on goal difference from 2nd club, Tollgate Inn FC.
Their attention will now turn to the Mick McNeil Cup where they will face Black Eagles FC, at Northumberland Avenue next Saturday.
