It's hard to recall a time when Rovers have played the same line-up in two games running this season. Injuries have been a particular problem in the second half of the season and as we approached this penultimate game, the squad was further depleted for various reasons. A frantic week of phone calls followed for manager Richard Fey as he pulled together a team for the game. Things looked ominous coming up against an in-form Exmouth team!

But it was Rovers that made most of the pressing in the early minutes. After Frankie Phillips remained untested from an Exmouth corner Rovers grew into the game. Dan McBeam, whom has been showing good form recently, jinked his way down the right in the 7th minute and whipped in a perfect cross from which Jamarni Langlais was able to strike; but the shot was just over the bar. Two minutes later, Ed Butcher had a chance from the edge of the box but the shot was straight down the the throat of the Exmouth 'keeper. In the 12th minute, Leo Eglin stole the ball in midfield to set up Leighton Thomas who in turn moved the ball to Dan McBeam. He twisted and turned in the box and got a shot away but again it was over the bar.

It had been a great start for the visitors and stung by the chances, Exmouth began to compose themselves again. A chance fell for Ace High from a corner but it was cleared off the line. The game was now much more level and stopping a Rovers counter attack, Ace High ploughed forward on the right. With the Rovers defence stretched, he delivered a pinpoint cross which Tom Bath buried with a header.

It was a blow to Rovers who had looked so good in the opening 25 minutes. Rovers recomposed and a chance fell for Leighton Thomas in the 36th minute but it was blocked before it could trouble the Exmouth goal. Further chances fell for Leo Eglin for Rovers and Tom Bath for Exmouth but after the goal, the game had become very even with neither team looking likely to score.

The second half was an altogether different affair. After Exmouth had an early goal chalked off correctly for offside and a couple of further half chances, Rovers began to push again and the pressure told in the 54th minute. Jamarni Langlais picked up the ball on the edge of the box and hit a drive that was deflected over for a corner. Exmouth partially cleared the cross but only out to a waiting Rovers player, the ball was moved around the box as the visitors probed for an opening; the ball eventually finding Langlais again. He moved the ball onto Leighton Thomas who was in acres of space in the box and he fired into the bottom left corner.

It was just what the team needed but disaster could have struck two minutes later when Aaron Parsons had to be replaced by Dan Restorick. Parsons has been struggling with a calf injury for several weeks and Restorick himself was seemingly only 50/50 for this game after having to come off in the Larkhall game last Saturday. But, no matter, with Milo Murgatroyd back from holiday just hours before the game, on for Jamarni Langlais, Rovers continued to press. Exmouth again had a couple of half chances but it was Rovers that looked most likely to add to their total.

In the 70th minute, Ed Butcher did remarkably well to keep a ball in from going out for a throw and after turning past two Exmouth players, ploughed up the left touchline and hitting a low cross which Leighton Thomas was unlucky to divert just wide. Seven minutes later the pressure paid off as Leighton Thomas picked up the ball 25 yards out. He was closed down as he approached the box but the ball squirmed out to the waiting Milo Murgatroyd who pounced and took the ball round the oncoming keeper and put the ball into the gaping net.

There were wild celebrations as the Rovers' faithful hoped for their first win since Boxing Day. Sensible play from Rovers followed as they tried to manage the lead in the final minutes. Braeden Symes came on for Ed Butcher in the 84th minute to add some stability in the midfield area. Even then, Rovers still looked the more likely to score. A scramble in the box in the 88th minute saw Exmouth block three attempts in quick succession but was there a handball in there? And two minutes later, Leo Eglin with some neat footwork, took the ball into the box but unfortunately his shot was a little weak and easy for the 'keeper. The final whistle blew with Rovers having fully deserved the win.

We go into our final match of the season next week on a high, but also wondering what team we will have out!

Saturday 27th April (H) vs Evesham Utd. 3pm kick-off.
Match sponsors A.M. Hancock and Son of Timsbury - Plumbing and Heating Engineers.