Tuesday, September 23, 2003

A HARD earned and deserved victory for Rovers which was due as much to their endeavour and commitment as the two headed goals from Mark Benbow.

Benbow put both away in style before the interval in a half in which Rovers never gave Swifts time to settle and always looked assured themselves.

Built on a solid display from their back four they were well worth the points despite the closeness of the score.

Benb ow's first came on 19 minutes, following Steve Hillman's cross and then the effervescent and non-stop Mark Atkinson combined with Peter Sutton to set up the second on 34 minutes.

It all looked so comfortable until Rovers' goalkeeper Paul Wyatt misjudged a 52nd minute pile-driver free kick from Mark Jones and failed to push it over the bar.

Swifts sensed they might salvage a point but Rovers held firm and ought really to have given themselves a third goal cushion. They had the chances - but missed opportunites again emphasised why manager George Rooney is keen to bring in a quality goalscorer.

Nevertheless, an excellent confidence boost.

ROVERS

Wyatt 6, FROST 8*, Hillman 7, Pope 7, Benton 7, Beckett 7, Jackson 7, Scheppel 7, Sutton 7, Benbow 7, Atkinson (sub Banner 88 mins) 7.