Having conceded plenty in the last three games Rovers stopped the rot with a silky, sexy performance against lowly Hengrove. Lessons were learnt from last Saturday when you have side on the hock don’t let them off it.

Rovers started as a team on a mission Grove’s goalkeeper was in for a busy afternoon and made the first of a dozen saves during the game as early as the 5^th minute. In the 15^th minute he could not stop David Steele volley from the edge of the area to give Rovers a deserved lead. In the 24^th minute Grove were reduced to 10 men when their striker was given his marching orders for kicking out at Jake Wannell. Wannell was booked for showing intent when refusing to make a meal of the incident – bizarre. Rovers turned the screw when Craig Veal doubled our lead after good work from Luke Alden. Simon Hill was unlucky to get his first of the season when he goal bound header was cleared off the line with the keeper well beaten. Dan Western smashed a shot against the post as Rovers pushed forward. But in the 40^th minute Alden danced around three defenders then the keeper to slot home. As time ran out in the half Veal got his second with a smart finish. Into the second half and could Rovers keep this up? At times Rovers resorted to long balls but Grove’s keeper seemed to match everything thrown at him. Western shot hit a post and he put one narrowly wide. At last the efforts were rewarded with veal completing his hat trick as he stroked the ball past the keeper. In the 90^th minute Western let fly from 30 yards and the ball flew home straight and true. This result recorded Rovers biggest win of the season.

Rovers: Gibbins; Wannell ©, Hill, Clampin, Jee; Wadham, Steele, Hopkinson, Alden; Western, Veal. Subs: Raybold for Wadham 58, Rogers for Veal 89