ROVERS WIN THE BURROUGHS PARK DERBY

Rovers midfielder Ryan Scougall ended months of injury frustration by scoring a fantastic match-winning free-kick against White Ensign on Tuesday night as the landlords beat their tenants in the Burroughs Park derby.

Ryan Scougall’s free-kick came after a Callum Boylan penalty had cancelled out Mechack Asuka’s opener for Ensign.

The win was much needed as Rovers had lost their last two games away to Woodford Town and Saffron Walden Town. Marcus Bowers team had recorded five wins in their last eight after their win against Ensign. There was much confidence coming into the game with the news of Callum Boylan's return from injury.

The match didn't start as well though, it was a cagey affair between both sides as both teams wanted to win the game. Rovers had their first opportunity of the game in the third minute when skipper Ben Search delivered a curling free kick into the box, Harrison Topliss managed to get a head on to the ball but his header was blazed high and wide. Rover then had the best opportunity of the game of going in front in the tenth minute. Ben Search raced down the right wing and passed the ball onto Boylan who dribbled past three defenders into the box and one-two with Anthony Martin who sent a curling effort into the bottom left corner which forced a fantastic finger tip save from the Ensign keeper.

White Ensign had the next opportunity when Trevor Harding got a shot off but the ball was way over the cross bar. However, White Ensign opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. A Rovers attack was cleared away from the Ensign area and the ball went right over the Rovers defence, allowing striker Mechack Asuka to run on towards goal and smashed the ball into the top right corner.

The game was halted on a number of occasions due to injuries and fouls. Just after half an hour of play, Harrison Topliss and Craig Ferguson sadly departed the field of play due to injuries. Danny Cossington and Jake Gordon were cautioned for their troubles in halted attacks from White Ensign.

HALFTIME: WHITE ENSIGN 1-2 ROVERS

The second half started in much better fashion, build up plays were much more flowing and our attacking play was far more threatening. Ensign did have the first opportunity in the 54th minute of the game from a free kick but it was shot straight into the safe hands of Rovers keeper Luis Shamshoum. Just after an hour of play gone, Rovers were given a lifeline to get back in the game.

Rover forward Max Gnandi was played through into the White Ensign penalty area and a clumsy challenge was made and the referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot. Callum Boylan stepped up and buried his penalty into the bottom right corner of the net, taking his tally to 25 goals this season and much needed boost of confidence for the young striker.

Since then, Rovers were getting on top of the game and eventually were ahead ten minutes from time. Substitute Ryan Scougall, who had broke two bones in his face against Stanway Rovers in November which ruled him out for three months stepped up for the set piece on the edge of the box and smashed a dipping right footed shot into the top right corner of the net.

Rovers eventually saw out the remaining ten minutes with ease and will now turn their attention to Buckhurst Hill on Thursday evening, which will be their third game in six days.