Injuries to key men cloud win

Belgraves 8, Rovers 0

MICKY OGIER was left ruing injuries to two key players that clouded this comprehensive victory over plucky Rovers. Both Neil Clegg and captain Leighton Chainey limped off with ankle problems in the second half at the Track, which make them doubtful for Saturday's Fletcher Sports FA Cup tie with Sylvans.

'Neither looks too good,' said the Bels coach.

Clegg set his side on their way to the three points with both goals as Bels established a 2-0 half-time lead.

The brace were poacher's efforts from close range with Brent Marquand and Marc McGrath involved in the build-up on both occasions.

To be fair, Rovers gave a good account of themselves in the first half and produced moments of decent football, but they couldn't maintain it after the break.

McGrath, who posed a threat all night, grabbed a brace of his own and, with quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Paul Ramsden added a fifth.

Simon Marley got in on the act five minutes later with the simplest of tap-ins after McGrath had been denied a hat-trick with a goalline block.

The home side were now waltzing through the Rovers defence.

In the final 10 minutes, Marquand became the third Belgrave to score twice.

His first was a towering far post header and the second arguably an easier one than Marley's.

Ogier credited Rovers for their first-half display but admitted that his side's superior fitness levels paid dividends after the turnaround.