Rampant Rovers Go Top After Four Goal Salvo!

Competitive ESL action returned to Burroughs Park on this very autumnal Wednesday evening with the arrival of Sawbridgeworth Town. Last season ‘Sawbo’ inflicted our first defeat of the season as Rovers suffered a 3-2 defeat and then gave us a tough test at Burroughs with Rovers eventually winning 2-0 so another test was expected again. However as we know Rovers have a 100% record in the league sitting second to Enfield 1893 only on goal difference and are full of confidence and were aware a 4-0 win would be enough to see them take top spot on goals scored.
The game kicked off and with the pitch in superb condition both sides looked to pass the ball around and it was the home side who settled first.
On seven minutes after a great spell of passing Billy Johnson was put through only to be flagged offside quite harshly, and on eight minutes Ash Hawkins had an effort which went just wide.
The first corner of the game was won by the home side on nine minutes and was delivered superbly by Ash Hawkins onto the head of Billy Radley who nodded downwards. The ball bounced up dangerously and Tom Selkirk in the Sawbo goal just tipped it over. Dave Collins took the resulting corner only for Selkirk to be impeded and a free kick given to the visitors.
Sawbo then had a decent spell of possession in the next few minutes with a cross by Scott Williams causing concern which was cleared for a throw and a few seconds later Williams was judged offside form the resulting play allowing Rovers to clear.
On fifteen minutes Sawbo won a free kick however Terry Martins effort was straight at Adam Seal.
The game became end to end and was very entertaining with Seal again having to produce a fine save from an effort by George Wappett. Both sides were producing some great passing football and Rovers stand out men so far were George Artemi and Ash Hawkins and Sawbos Martin and Williams also having a good game thus far.
Twenty minutes saw a superb tackle by skipper Nick Skelton breaking down a Sawbo move very similar to the ferocious tackle made by Stuart Hepburn vs Bowers a few weeks back. Our centre backs don’t shirk anything!!
The next few minutes saw the first bit of controversy when on twenty one minutes Billy Johnson was through and pulled back only for referee David Gainsford or ‘Dave’ as he was affectionately called throughout the game to wave play on and the ball went out for a corner rather than the free kick it should’ve been. Ash Hawkins delivered the corner and George Artemi headed wide.
On twenty three Johnson was through again to be dubiously flagged offside and as the ball trickled out Sawbo defender Connor Mcquillian had a naughty ‘clatter’ into Johnson and injure him. It appears everyone saw it except the referee and Mcquillian didn’t even get a talking to. As a result Billy was forced to go off injured and he was replaced by the returning Gary Paterson.
Pato was to have an immediate effect just after Sawbo went close when Seal again produced a great save from another George Wappett shot. Pato went wide on thirty minutes at the other end.
On thirty five minutes Rovers finally made the breakthrough after Selkirk fumbled Ash Hawkins cross which fell nicely to Paterson who put it in from and acute angle to make it 1-0.
This was not the end of the Pato impact when he flattened Connor Mcquillian from behind as he ushered a back pass safely to Selkirk. Paterson was rightly booked however we couldn’t help but think that that was a bit of retribution for the defenders naughtiness on Billy Johnson. It also meant the big number 4 was going to be worried about Pato for the rest of the game and indeed Mcquillian himself was finally booked after a late tackle on Dan Trenkel.
The free kick given away proved costly to Sawbo as Dave Collins stepped up to deliver a dangerous free kick and the ever energetic Billy Radley tucked the ball away for 2-0 Rovers.
The first half ended without further incident.
With the second half underway the visitors were giving it a good go but were in danger of leaving themselves exposed at the back which they did when Paterson found himself one v one with Selkirk only to see his lob go just over with the keeper well beaten.
Sawbo made their first change on fifty two with Kev Riley being replaced by Tom Jelliman.
On sixty minutes Sawbo gave away a silly free kick in a very dangerous position. Ash Hawkins took the resulting free kick which went straight into the wall. Sawbo couldn’t clear their lines and the ball again fell to Hawkins who looked up and picked his spot bending the ball wide of Selkirk into the bottom right hand corner of the net for 3-0 Rovers. A great finish by Ash.
Rovers then sat back a little and were stroking the ball around well and despite this Sawbo still managed a couple of chances with Jack Zanone going closest producing a save from Adam Seal. The visitors also made another change with Jason Todd being replaced by Will Green.
Sawbos Sam Zanone also picked up a booking for dissent.
On sixty six Rovers put the result beyond doubt when Gary Paterson found himself in possession and seeing Selkirk off his line lobbed him for an inch perfect finish and to make it 4-0 Rovers. You really cant give Pato a sniff of goal as he will punish you and proving what a great signing he has been.
With the game effectively over Rovers made some changes with Dan Trenkel coming off and Aaron Baldwin coming on and Man of the Match Ash Hawkins was replaced ,just after he had the ball in the net and disallowed, on seventy one minutes by Joe Skeels.
Rovers continued to push with Billy Radley causing Sam Zanone lots of grief and Aaron Baldwin also going close with Richard Longley poking away Balders goal bound effort on eighty five minutes.
Sawbo made their final change with Scott Williams going off to be replaced by Charlie Cole and in fact it was the visitors who went closest in the final few minutes with George Wappett going close again.
Referee ‘Dave’ finally called time on a comprehensive win for the Villagers who,in front of a good crowd and the newly formed supporters group the ‘Rovers Rebels’ (who are recruiting if you are interested) had done just enough to return to the top of the table on goals scored as it finished Great Wakering Rovers 4-0 Sawbridgeworth Town.
Its a trip to Mile End Stadium next in the league against Ilford on September 21st for Rovers.

Rovers- Seal , Pugsley, Kent, Collins, Hepburn, Skelton (C), Radley, Artemi, Trenkel ( Baldwin 68), Hawkins (Skeels 71), Johnson (Paterson 23) Subs not Used- Sparrow, Smith.
Man of the Match- Ashley Hawkins.