DMW October 23, 1999

WHEN you've hardened yourself to 0-1s, 1-2s and promises that things will get better, honest, isn't 5-1 a wonderful sight?

Rocester may have been one of the worst teams to play at the Victoria Ground since March Town United (FA Cup, early 90s), but this shouldn't distract from a near perfect day when everything fell right for Rovers.

After surviving an anxious spell between the first two goals, which prompted boss Steve Daley to claim "we were terrible in the first half,'' the Greens were always odds-on favourites to record their first home league win since March.

In the early exchanges, they created two contrasting chances. A flowing move started in defence and involving five players ended with Mark Benbow firing off target from the right hand side. Also unsuccessful, but equally close, was Richard Ball's shot after Richard Congrave flicked on Kevin Ashley's long ball. I prefer the pretty stuff myself.

Star midfielder Tom Davies set up Rovers' first goal on five minutes with a teasing left wing corner which Alex Winstone, back after injury, rose to head home from easy range for his second of the season.

Winstone's defensive chum, Mark Bowater, had a header booted off the line by Matt Booth before Rovers got a severe dose of the shakes and allowed Andrew Bourne and John Johnson to threaten keeper Derek Dudley in quick succession.

Relief came courtesy of Benbow's unexpected strike on the half hour mark. Following a neat link up with Congrave, the ex-Hereford United man tried his luck with a speculative 18 yarder which curled into the far corner of Daniel Holdcroft's goal before finally settling at the opposite end.

There was to be no let up after the break. With 48 minutes gone, leading scorer Ball hit his fifth goal of 1999/2000 from the penalty spot after Damian Grocutt foolishly handled and Congrave got in on the act four minutes later with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Rovers' best move of the match after 65 minutes involved Ryan Daley, who did all the groundwork, and Ashley, whose high cross was headed over by Congrave at the back post.

Ashley's 72nd minute exit for his second bookable offence prompted Davies' move to right back - the impressive Winstone had already limped off with ankle trouble - and a brief Rocester flourish. Chris Rawlinson reduced the arrears seven minutes later after a persistent run by Bourne.

But the handsome advantage was restored four minutes from time. Ryan Daley's first attempt was blocked but he tucked away the rebound with considerable relish.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Davies, Winstone (sub Jinks 58), Bowater, Benbow, Ball, Congrave, Daley, Bytheway. Subs (unused): Cummings, Bannister.

Attendance: 337. Rovers man of the match: Tom Davies.