Dave Collins Wonderstrike Snaps Up Win For Rovers.

Rovers kicked off proceedings on a perfect day for football in mild calm conditions and the pitch looking superb for this ESL match vs Sporting Bengal.
Just down the road we were also hoping that neighbours Hullbridge could do us a favour and put one over on fellow pacesetters Enfield 1893.
Rovers changed things slighty from our midweek derby at Southend Manor with Billy Radley replacing James Pugsley at right back, Joe Skeels given a start as was Player Manager Dan Trenkel.

As then game kicked off it was Bengal who settled first with some really nice passages of play as Trenks alluded to in his midweek interview 'theyre a good passing side' however Rovers were sitting off of them too much which helped the visitors.

Bengal had the first chances of the game with shots from Bobby Redwood and Abdul Bari causing concern. Bari did have the ball in the net only to be flagged offside and his protest earned him a booking.

Rovers began to get a bit more posession with Collins, Trenkel, Hawkins with a superb solo run and shot, and Baldwin all having attempts. Bengals Shah Mashud also found himself in the book after a naughty forearm on Baldwin. Hawkins took the free kick which went wide.

On 25 minutes Bengal won a free kick out wide which was played short to Shahed Ahmed who struck it perfectly with his right foot wide of Dale Brightly into the right hand top corner to give the visitors the lead. It was a great strike and the visitors were well worth their lead.

Bengal again had the majority of posession during the next 10 minutes however their only other attempt during this time was from a free kick which saw Stuart Hepburn booked for dissent. Ahmed put the free kick high over the bar.

On 39 minutes Rovers struck back after some great work down the right from the ever energetic Billy Radley who then delivered an inch perfect cross onto the head of Dan Trenkel who couldnt miss and headed past Jason Hartles in the Bengal goal. Scores were level and thats how it remained at half time and if im honest we were lucky to go in even.

Both sides made changes at half time with Lewis Sparrow coming on for Nick Skelton and Craig Hesku replacing Aaron Hutchinson for Bengal.

Rovers came out more positive however Hartles in the Bengal goal was in inspired form and his antics also helped build a rapport with us fans behind the goal so much so we were on first name terms with 'Jason'.

He produced a fine save from a goal bound Hepburn header on 55 minutes earning applause from all behind the goal. Both he and his defenders were standing firm as Rovers continued to dominate.

Rovers made another change with James Puglsey replacing Aaron Baldwin. He went to right back to give Billy Radley more opportunity to go forward.

Bengals resilience was soon to run out when 'Jason' came rushing out of his goal bringing down Jay Smith giving referee Edward Smith no option but to award the spot kick and issue 'Jason' with a yellow card.
Dave Collins took the spot kick and placed it to 'Jasons' left into the corner for a 2-1 lead to Rovers. To be fair it was coming.

Billy Radley nearly made it 3-1 with a great header again saved by 'Jason' who was still in fine form despite being distraught at giving away the penalty.

Bengal made another change on 73 when Ashraf Amir replaced Safraz Pivano.

On 77 minutes the moment everyone was talking about occurred. Dave Collins picked the ball up some thirty yards out on the right and moved to a more central position and you could see by his eyes he knew exactly where he was going to put the ball and boy did he? His left foot shot was millimetre perfect into the top right hand corner of the net. As Andy Gray would have said 'what a hit son' and 'you dont save them'. That goal will be talked about for sometime. Well done Dave.

To be fair 'Jason' took it all in his stride especially when he was asked 'did you have that covered Jason?' he replied 'did I f***?' Fair play to the guy.

Bengal werent out of this and came out a little more after that and on 80 minutes Abdul Bari pulled one back after Hepburn had cleared of the line to make it a twitchy last ten minutes for Rovers.

Rovers made another change on 81 with Nathan Fletcher coming on for Joe Skeels presumably to hang on to what we had. Bengal also made their final change with Ade Oshody coming on for Shahed Ahmed who had been injured in a coming together with Dan Trenkel.

The remainder of the game passed without any more notable attempts and referee Smith blew for full time and three hard earned points for Rovers. Fair play to Bengal they played well and I believe the league position doesnt do them justice.

News also came filtering through that our neighbours Hullbridge did in fact do us a favour and beat Enfield 1893 3-2 at Lower Road. Im sure Enrico had a hand in that somewhere!!

So thats two hard fought wins since the Enfield set back which is exactly the kind of response you want. Well done lads.

Rovers- Brightly, Radley, Kent, Collins, Hepburn, Skelton (C)(Sparrow), Skeels (Fletcher), Smith, Trenkel, Hawkins, Baldwin (Pugsley). Subs not Used- Paterson, Ansell.

Rovers Man of the Match- Jay Smith.