An excellent, clinical performance from Rovers.
We started the first half very strongly and some of the football in the first twenty minutes in particular was great to watch. The opening goal resulted from a fantastic fifty yard burst from Eddie Clark, a wicked ball into the box and a poacher's finish from Norwood. Shortly afterwards, another great run from Clarke should have resulted in a second goal, but Cook was foiled by a good point blank save by their keeper. Cook's goal duly arrived minutes later after a trademark swivel and shot in the eighteen yard box.
Having gone behind so early Maidstone had nothing to lose and threw men forward, and with Rovers playing an open 442, we had a couple of scares, Davies making two good saves from Hines to confound his critics. In the second half I thought we sat off the game too much for 25-30 minutes, similar to Macclesfield in midweek, although we defended well and were relatively untroubled. The third goal when it arrived again resulted from a run and cross by Clarke, the Stones keeper punching to Norburn who finished with a terrific, controlled strike into the top corner. The fourth was another poacher's effort from Norwood after an excellent, dipping volley by Buxton from outside the box.
Individually, I thought Cook and Norwood were both back on top of their game, the former looking as sharp as he has all season, and also linked up well on a number of occasions. In midfield, Banks was calm and assured, doing the simple things well, and rarely giving the ball away. Adam Buxton was excellent once again. I thought Gumbs looked nervous in the first half, making a couple of errors, one of which resulted in a good chance for Hines. However, he settled down after half time and played well.
Man of the match, however, was Eddie Clarke, who has been a revelation. He overlapped superbly down the left hand side and also defended very well. I first saw him in the Youth Cup game at Everton last season, where he immediately stood out, and he looks way better than this level. Reminds me of the young Ian Nolan.
Up to the heady heights of eleventh place, playing with confidence and only eight points off top. We can dream can't we ?