Rovers consolidated their lead at the top of the ESL during a very unpredictable spell of weather here on the far eastern corner of Essex. Looking to bounce back from Wednesdays home defeat to League 1 Colchester United in the Essex Senior Cup Dan Trenkel went with a more familiar looking line up and it was the home side who started the quicker letting Manor know they were in for a torrid time.
On 3 minutes Rovers had the ball cleared off the line following a corner however minutes later they were to open the scoring.
After persistent play from Jay Smith down the left and a great passage of interplay left Aaron Baldwin open and the inform striker smashed the ball past keeper Steve French into the roof of the net. French will feel he may have done better having got two hands to it however the pace of the shot was ultimately too much.
Eton Manor had a couple of chances of their own soon after with a shot on 8 minutes by Andrew Thomas forcing a smart save from Dale Brightly and they then wasted a free kick in a great position on 14 minutes.
The Rovers fans then found themselves cheering on 15 minutes after Dave Collins delivered a superb free kick into the box for Nick Skelton to head in to the side netting. From the dugout stand it looked like it went in and we all cheered.......then imediately felt like a bunch of wallys when French picked the ball up and placed it for a goal kick.
Skelton again went close a minute later following a trademark Stuart Hepburn long through.
I didnt take long for Rovers to double their advantage as player boss Dan Trenkel picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and after dropping the shoulder found himself one on one with French and the Boss finished smartly to make it 2-0 Rovers. Great finish.
Ash Hawkins then nearly made it three a minute later but squandered his chance.
On 22 minutes the heavens opened amd with the blustery wind it made it very uncomfortable for both sides which seemed to play a factor in Manors best chance by far. Henderson Browne saw his effort tipped over by Dale Brightly and from the resulting corner Dale fluffed his intended punch clear however luckily the ball hit the post then out for a goal kick. A lucky escape indeed.
At this point Mother Nature decided to turn the taps off and bathe the ground in bright sunshine making things a little easier for all. Youve got to love the weather in this country!!
On 32 Ash Hawkins saw his effort flash across the face of the goal.
As the half drew to a close it was Manor finishing the stronger and a free kick given away by Hepburn was taken by Dan Chambers and Leon Lewis headed over from close range and on 44 minutes they then had a corner which Brightly committed to and missed but luckily it was cleared.
The half ended with Rovers 2-0 to the good and to be honest still in second gear.
As the second half kicked off there were no changes and we took our usual spot behind the goal and straight away managed to build up a rapport with visiting keeper Steve French. We managed to establish what he wanted for his tea and that it was his first game for Manor however more importantly he played the game with a smile on his face. Fair play Steve.
The onslaught continued with French saving from Baldwin and clearing a corner on 48 won courtesy of a smart Billy Radley run.
On fifty minutes though Rovers won a penalty after a bursting Jay Smith run saw the midfielder brought down in the box and referee Karl Dunnage pointed straight to the spot.
Dave Collins stepped up and put the penalty in the bottom right hand corner despite French guessing correctly. 3-0 to Rovers.
The game was beyond doubt as a contest on 55 minutes when Ash Hawkins burst down the right into the box and finishing well at French's near post to make it 4-0.
Manor were still battling well through the next 10 minutes however after a smart Rovers move the home side won a second penalty after Billy Radley was brought down in almost a carbon copy of the first penalty.
Dave Collins stepped up and we all told French where it was going however he went the opposite way to the first yet man of the match Collins didnt and put it in exactly the same place. 5-0 Rovers.
French to his credit carried on smiling as his banter with us was friendly and in-offensive. Many fans confuse banter and abuse with most of it being the latter however we dont and its all good natured.
Rovers made a couple of changes with James Pugsley replacing Stu Hepburn on 64 minutes and Gary Paterson replacing Dan Trenkel on 68.
Ash Hawkins was also replaced by Sammy Knott on 70 miunutes. Assistant Manager Gary Ansell quoted at the end of the game he felt Ash was unplayable in the first half. Good game Ash.
On 72 minutes Gary Paterson saw his fierce shot go over and way into the car park.
On 85 minutes Pato then found the target as he found himself one on one with French and the big forward picked his spot and finished well to make it 6-0.
Unfortunately it was the away side who had the final say after Nick Skelton gave away a needless penalty which was converted by Henderson Browne to make it 6-1.
That was to be the last kick of the game which saw Rovers never come out of second gear for this comprehensive win.
Eton Manor return on Tuesday for a tie in the League Cup and will be hoping for a better result im sure. We Hope Steve French comes down again as he took the time to shake supporters hands at the end in a great act of sportsmanship. Well played Steve.