Rovers subs help turn the tide at Port Soif

Kevin Gillease’s men went into the break a goal behind and just after the restart Kyle Smith lobbed keeper Adam Bullock to make it two.

Fin Whitmore got one back for his team and it was the Rovers centre-forward alongside Max Simpson-Cohen who completed the comeback.

‘It was a really good win for us in the end, and we were all extremely relieved to get the three points,’ said the Rovers head coach.

‘We made it hard for ourselves on the day, we conceded a goal against the run of play, then made a couple of changes at the break and almost instantly after we were two goals behind.

‘We responded really well after that, though, and as soon as Fin scored, it felt like it was inevitable that we were going to win the game.

‘Fin was outstanding for us once again, and I have to give credit to subs Max Simpson-Cohen and in particular Colton Fletcher, who really changed the game for us.

‘Ben Le Tocq was also really impressive at the back.’

The 3-2 victory for Rovers means that they stay at the summit of the Priaulx League table, remaining the only unbeaten side.

Vale Rec managed to keep up with the pace as they took home a fourth straight league victory from a visit to KGV to play Rangers.

The two sides were goalless at the break, but in the second half Mark Romeril’s side showed their class as they scored four times without reply.

Marlon Jardim got his first goal in Rec colours against the team he has just left, while Jacob Masterton-Pipet, Luke Gaudion and Seb Skillen all also got on the scoresheet.

‘I was extremely happy with the performance from the lads, we really dominated the game,’ said the Rec coach.

‘We were disappointed not to go into half-time with the lead after controlling the game in large parts, but we told the guys they just needed to carry on and in the end the goal came.

‘Getting Marlon up and running quickly was also so important and he scored a great goal.

‘We were missing nine players on the day so I am delighted with how we did.

‘We’re now through the first round of games and we have five wins, a draw and a loss so the return we have got so far has been great.’

The two sides at the top of the division will meet for the second time on Saturday afternoon at Port Soif, with the winner going top of the Priaulx League outright.

North continued their flying start to the campaign on Saturday in the league’s other fixture, as they saw off Alderney with a 2-0 win at Northfield.

Jack Domaille and Dave Rihoy got on the scoresheet for the chocolate-and-blues, and the victory means they now sit on 15 points from their first six matches.