ROVERS 3-0 BUCKHURST ROVERS PROGRESS IN PETER BUTCHER TROPHY

Jack Stone and a Max Gnandi double helped the Rovers progress to the next round of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy.

Rovers made eight changes after their famous FA Vase win to give key players a rest for their upcoming league game against Saffron Walden Town.

The first ten minutes of the match was cagey, either team could have scored the opening goal as both teams went close to hitting the back of the net. Rovers had the first chance of the game as Charlie Kendall brilliantly controlled a cross into the box, he squared it for Jake Gordon who saw his curling effort hit the outside of the left hand post. Buckhurst also had a great chance to open the scoring when their midfield did a great one-two on the edge of the Rovers box and their forward sent a great curling effort which seemed destined to nestle in the bottom left corner but Rovers keeper Luis Shamshoum pulled off a great two handed save to parry the ball away.

Rovers took an early lead after fifteen minutes when winger Sonny Noble won the ball from a defender after great persistence, cut inside the box and crossed the ball into the penalty area from the right wing where his pass met Jake Gordon who volleyed his shot first time which seemed destined to nestle in the bottom left but his effort was saved superbly by Buckhurst's keeper Ben Lane. However he couldn't parry the ball far enough from the goal line where Southend United loanee Jack Stone was waiting to poach scored his first goal for the club.

Luis Shamshoum was called upon again after twenty minutes, Buckhurst's midfield linking up to set up an attack, another one-two sent their striker through on goal who curled an effort into the bottom right side of the goal which was parried away brilliantly by the Rovers keeper. The corner was dealt with by a firm Rovers defence who didn't allow the opposition to have a chance at goal.

After half an hour, Buckhurst thought they had equalised after a great cross was met by their attacker who slotted the ball into the bottom right but was flagged offside.

Rovers got close to doubling their lead before the interval, they had a throw in by the opposition corner flag which Charlie Kendall did a brilliant long throw right across the face of goal but no one was there to meet it.

HALF TIME: ROVERS 1-0 BUCKHURST HILL

The second half began comfortably for the Rovers, playing keep ball, preforming one-twos and instigating attacks down the wings which started to break down and tire the opposition defense.

After the hour mark, Rovers made a couple of substitutions which brought energy into our attack with Max Gnandi and Billy Johnson joining the action.

After two minutes of coming on Max Gnandi made is mark. A corner whipped in from Jake Gordon couldn't be cleared enough from the Buckhurst's keeper and Max Gnandi was there to header the ball into the bottom right.

There wasn't much more to deal with after the second goal as it had seemed to be the killer blow for Buckhurst. The last twenty minutes was one way traffic as Rovers made plenty of chances to add to the score line and four minutes from the end, Max Gnandi scored his second of the night and the Rovers third.

Sonny Noble made a great run down the right hand side who crossed the ball into the Buckhurst area, a defender attempts to clear his lines but miss kicks it up and over which seemed destined to lob the keeper. The keeper did well to tip the ball onto the cross bar but Max Gnandi was their for the follow up to head the ball into the empty net.

Rovers saw out the remaining minutes to progress through to the second round of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy to face Ilford away which will be confirmed at a later date.

Next up for the Rovers is a trip to Saffron Walden Town on Saturday 24th February 3pm then a home tie against high flying Tilbury Tuesday 27th February 7.45pm