Godmanchester Rovers chief Neville Nania says his side should be applauded for returning from almost a month out of action with a double-figures destruction of FC Clacton last Saturday.

Rovers went on the rampage at Bearscroft Lane to rack up an 11-3 victory that saw them close to within six points of long-time Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division leaders Norwich United.

It was a power-packed performance led by five-goal midfield man Mike Hyem while prolific forward Tom Meechan helped himself to four of the goals.

James Hall was the other player to find the net with a brace inside the opening 10 minutes to set Rovers on their way to victory in their first outing since December 20.

Nania said: “Anyone who has watched us play this season will know that we always create a lot of chances in games.

“Saturday was a day when we converted the vast majority of them and scoring 11 goals is quite a statement to send out to the rest of the league. The lads should be applauded for delivering a performance and scoreline like that in their first game for almost a month.

“We could have scored even more goals in all truth and we also took our foot off the pedal a little bit towards the end when Clacton got a couple themselves. But it was a terrific day for the club and it has also given our goal difference a big boost – ours is now only just inferior to that of Norwich United.”

Rovers’ display was all the more impressive given the absence of influential defenders Taylor Parr and Tom Moran due to suspension – the former had a one-game ban but Moran must sit out three matches.

He will again be unavailable when Godmanchester travel to top-six hopefuls Kirkley & Pakefield on Saturday.

The fifth-placed Suffolk side are still to appoint permanent managers after seeing previous bosses Jamie Godbold and Andy Reynolds move to higher-level AFC Sudbury last month where they replaced new St Neots chief David Batch.

Nania added: “You never quite know what to expect against a team who have just lost their managers.

“It looks a tough game on paper and we have to ensure we continue picking up points week in, week out.

“We beat them comfortably at our place on the opening day of the season, but I recall it being a tougher game than the eventual 4-0 scoreline suggests.”