Rovers return to summit with win

Rovers eventually made their dominance tell against a severely-weakened Manzur last night at Northfield as the blue-and-whites ran out 7-0 winners in one of their games in hand on St Martin’s to overtake their nearest rivals.

Carlos Canha hit a hat-trick for Rovers, including the solitary goal of the first half as the home side, set up in a 5-4-1 formation in a damage limitation exercise, managed to frustrate Jez Robin’s men for long periods.

But the classy Portuguese’s low drive from 25 yards broke the deadlock and after the break he scored his side’s third and last goals.

There was a brace for Will Fazakerley, who also set up Kieran Mahon for the second goal of the night, while the pick of the bunch was headed home by Dale Webb at the culmination of a scintillating counter-attack started by goalkeeper Josh Addison who found Louis Graham before he fed Canha down the line and his pinpoint cross was nodded over Manzur keeper Miguel Santos by the Rovers substitute.

Weather permitting, Rovers will now look to Saturday’s big clash with North at Port Soif to pick up more points in their quest to retain the title, but Saints have the chance to return to the summit tomorrow night when they kick off the Easter weekend action away to Bels.

Leon Meakin’s side head to the Track without the suspended Louis Hunter and injury-victim Brent Marquand.

‘It is still in Rovers’ hands, but we have just got to keep adding pressure on them and hope that someone else does us a favour,’ said Saints assistant coach Ben Hunter.

‘Missing Brent and Louis on Friday is obviously a loss, but otherwise it is a full squad and we have got strong players to come in.

‘We’re going into the game confident, but Bels always give us a test.’

That game kicks off at 7.30pm tomorrow.

Rovers against North is part of a Saturday triple-header with Sylvans hosting Manzur at St Peter’s and Vale Rec welcoming Rangers to the Corbet Field, all of which start at 2pm.