ESL PREMIER: ROVERS 4 - 2 ENFIELD 1893

On a bitterly cold afternoon at Burroughs Park Great Wakering Rovers made the perfect start to 2013 by recording an impressive victory over fellow promotion candidates Enfield 1893.

Rovers flew out of the blocks, after only six minutes E’s goalkeeper Bert Greenwood failed to hold Danny Heale’s teasing cross and Jay Nash was on hand to fire the home side ahead.

Minutes later David Collins once again tested the visitor’s custodian, this time Greenwood made an unorthodox clearance as the Rovers looked to double their advantage.

However, Great Wakering didn’t have to wait too long for a second goal. After thirteen minutes, Heale once again manufactured an opportunity for Nash; the in-form Rovers striker beat Greenwood with a clinical finish.

Soon after, Heale and the Rovers believed they’d added a third, but the on-loan Canvey Island man was thwarted by the assistants flag.
Shell-shocked Enfield looked to hit back when the dangerous Aaron Cato ventured into the Rovers penalty area only to be snubbed out by the Rovers rearguard. Then Cato was at it again, drawing a brave save from Louis Godwin-Green after exchanging passes with Bradley Drisdale, Jake Gibson completed the clearance as the ball rolled agonisingly close the home sides goal.

Enfield was now sensing there was a way back into the game. An uncharacteristic fumble from Godwin-Green from Shaun Giddon’s corner left Tom Hopkins with a gaping goal, but incredibly, the E’s man sent his effort over when it seemed easier to score.

Nevertheless, the visitors had found their feet and indeed just before half time a lifeline. Neil Hughes raced unchallenged from the halfway line before firing an excellent twenty-yard effort past Godwin-Green.
Rovers started the second period brightly, instantly looking to re-establish their two-goal advantage. Dan Williams set up a chance for Albert Levett, but Greenwood made a good stop, while at the other end Godwin-Green had to be on his toes to deny Hughes after another impressive run and shot.

The crowd of 106 who had braved the icy conditions were being treated to a classic. Cato evaded several challenges before sending a curling effort inches over the Rovers bar, while Heale’s “double-six” ball found Williams who controlled and headed effort in one movement was somehow clawed away by Greenwood.

It was clear for all to see that there were more goals to come, and when the next one arrived after fifty-seven minutes, everyone was in agreement that it was a cracker. Aaron Cato had been an impressive figure all afternoon; his thundering equaliser had simply flown past Godwin-Green and had the E’s fans in raptures and the Rovers followers sportingly applauding.

Enfield seemed to be in the ascendancy. Godwin-Green produced a fingertip save from Julian Edwards strike, then Nathan Fletcher made a breathtaking clearance off the line as the visitors surged forward in search of a winner.

Then a controversial moment that swung the match back in favour of the home side. A melee in the E’s box saw referee Rhys Battye point to the penalty spot. Both players and the crowd seemed confused about the award, but once the dust had settled substitute Jimmy Webb made no mistake in restoring the Rovers lead.

Before Enfield could hit back, Rovers added a fourth. Heale was like a majestic wardrobe, brimming with exquisite passes. His latest “worldy” picked out Jay Nash who beat the advancing Greenwood with a neat lob to complete an impressive hat trick.

As the clock ran down, Rovers winger David Collins almost added a fifth, curling a shot just wide of an upright, while Enfield’s Julian Edwards fired the game’s final chance high and wide.
Rovers will now look to close the gap on league leaders Burnham Ramblers, where as Enfield will be disappointed with the defeat but can take heart from their contribution to an excellent afternoon’s entertainment.

Rovers: Godwin-Green, Gibson, Kent, Benjamin, Sparrow, Fletcher, Levett, Nash, Heale, Williams, Collins
Subs: Keys, Trenkel, Pugsley, Gardner, Webb

Enfield 1893; Greenwood, McGuiness, Edwards, Borghays, Scott, Hopkins, Cato, Giddon, Hughes, Drisdale, Abraham
Subs: Roberts, Osei, Johnson, Haywood