Rovers Back Top After Derby Win.

This was the second time we have met Southend Manor in a week except this one was an ESL encounter. Rovers were coming off the back of a weekend defeat to Enfield 1893 and Player Manager Dan Trenkel was looking for an immediate response from his players.
With the first encounter ending in a 6-3 win for Rovers Southend Radio presenter Lee Morgan tweeted it had '0-0 written all over it' and judging by the first half displays he looked to be correct in his prediction.
Unfortunately I missed the first 35 minutes due to family commitments however I was reliably informed the only meaningful chance came from a header by Gary Paterson which was tipped over well by Laurence Priddle in the Manor goal.
Rovers made two changes at half time with Dan Trenkel and Joe Skeels coming on for Aaron Baldwin and James Pugsley giving the side a more attacking shape and it certainly worked.
Trenkel admitted they had resorted to too much long ball in the first half meaning Baldwin was rendered ineffective for long spells however our player boss is probably the best in the league at holding up play and playing it in to the feet of others. This has been a massive part of Rovers success this season and this saw them step up a gear.
Rovers took control of the half and had a succession of corners however Priddle in the Manor goal was having a very good game and dealt with everything comfortably and justifying why he was the only one with 'Asda'on his shirt. Indeed when Graham Boosey asked him why he was the only one Priddle replied 'cos im special'.
On 59 minutes Ash Hawkins was denied by another good Priddle save however Rovers were knocking on the door consistently now and on 64 finally made a breakthrough after a great team move down the left saw Ash Hawkins open and calmly slot the ball past Priddle and put Rovers 1 up.
It was all Rovers after that with Joe Skeels and Dave Collins all going close and again denied by Priddle, Billy Radley causing havoc down the right and Ash down the middle.
On 79 minutes Ash Hawkins netted his and Rovers second with again some great passing down the right (we think as the fog was forming on that part of the pitch) resulting in another smart finish from Hawkins leaving Priddle with no chance.
The game then passed with no real chances for either side and Rovers made one more change with Lewis Sparrow coming on for Gary Paterson who had been marshalled well by the Manor defence all game.
After a minute of stoppage time the referee called a halt to proceedings and he result put Rovers back on top of the ESL.
The next game see's Rovers at home to Sporting Bengal at Burroughs on Saturday 5th October so come along and support your Greens!!!

Rovers- Brightly,Pugsley (Skeels), Kent, Collins, Hepburn, Skelton(c), Radley, Smith, Paterson (Sparrow), Hawkins, Baldwin (Trenkel) Sub Not Used- Fletcher.

Rovers MOTM- Billy Radley.