Rover's returned to action after a 4 week break, when they entertained Sporting 87 FC, in League 2.
With the Heath waterlogged, the fixture was moved to the Gainsborough Playing Fields in Bury, which had held up really well despite the wet weather this week.
With boss, Paul Winstone, missing for some reason or another, the managerial reigns were forced into the hands or poor old, Geoff Green, who despite being very unwell (man flu), turned up to hopefully lead his men onto further league glory!
Rover's made several changes to the side which lost to Wickhambrook FC in the cup last time out, with Geoff Green, Jamie Feltner, David Clarke, Peter Hailstone, Jamie Maxwell and Alistair Clarke all dropping out. Andrew Clarke, Rob Green, Gary Radford and Manu Falcao all returned to the starting line up. Wayne Pottle also made a welcome return to the side, as he made his 1st apperance of the season between the sticks.
Rover's began the game very brightly and were very unlucky not to go ahead straight from the kick off, as they shot narrowly wide, after a very good exchange of passes.
They did not have to wait very long to get their noses in front, as they had by far the better of the early period of play, when on 10 minutes, Tiernan Boland crashed home the opener in fantastic fashion from 12 yards out.
Despite continuing to dominate proceedings, it took Rovers a further 15 minutes to finally double their lead, when record breaker, Micky Cross stuck out a knee to amazingly score in his 11th consecutive match, from about an inch out after a very scrappy goalmouth scramble.
5 minutes later Rover's took full control of the match when Tiernan Boland pounced to net his 2nd of the afternoon and Rover's 3rd, to give the scoreline a more realistic look.
Pottle in the Rover's goal, who up to that point had not had a lot to do, was beaten 5 minutes later when a speculative long range effort deflected off of Rob Green's massive shins to wrong foot Pottle and reduce Rover's lead at the break to just 2.
Green was pleased with his side's 1st half performance, especially after 4 weeks without a game and sent his troops out for the 2nd period knowing that a similar performance after the break, would see Rovers cement their place at the top of League 2.
Rovers restored their 3 goal cushion 10 minutes after the re-start, when Micky Cross raced clear of the Sporting defence to notch his 2nd of the game.
As the home side continued to run their visitors ragged, a fine 1-2 involving Timothy Hodge and 2nd half substitute, Ian Murfit, saw Hodge burst clear to fire Rovers 5-1 up, just after the hour mark.
5 minutes later, man of the match, Tiernan Boland, secured his 2nd hat-trick of the season, when he scored Rover's 6th goal of the afternoon, as the visitors started to tire.
The victory was completed with 15 minutes to go when Manu Falcao scored, undoubtedly the best goal of the match, if not the season so far, when he picked up the ball deep in the Rover's half, then ran the length of the pitch, beating several Sporting players on the way, to slot the ball home past the helpless visitor's keeper.
Green was delighted with the scoreline and performance and was very, very happy to be able to go home to bed, after the final whistle had blown.
The win sees Rover's remain at the top of League 2 and hold onto their 3 point advantage over their nearest rivals.
Rovers will return to Gainsborough next Saturday when they are Black Boy's visitors, once again in League 2 action.
