Manager Matt Clements hailed his Godmanchester Rovers players for a stunning Saturday success.

Rovers condemned table-topping reigning champions Norwich United to a first Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division defeat of the season with a 3-0 triumph at the David Wilson Homes Ground.

They took command with two goals in the space of four minutes early on.

The returning James Hall created an opener headed in by Tom Spark before Austen Diaper bundled in a second following a wind-assisted throw from Lewis McDonald.

The points were in the bag when McDonald went from provider to goalscorer when adding a third goal early in the second half courtesy of a high-class volley.

It arrived moments after the visitors had seen the first of two players dismissed. Another red card followed in the dying moments.

Clements said: “We needed a response after losing heavily last weekend and I knew I would get one.

“I was confident we could test Norwich United and to beat them in such a convincing manner is very pleasing.

“We would have taken any team apart with the way we performed today. It was without doubt our best display and result of the season.

“We played very well in the first half when the conditions were in our favour and we were just as dominant after the break when against them.

“The boys gave me everything I wanted from them . . . and then some.”

The Rovers team featured a young goalkeeping debutant. Sixteen year-old Evan Jeckells’ first appearance for the club came complete with a clean sheet.

Jeckells was drafted in to fill the void left by a back injury to regular number one Niall Conroy. He is well-known to both Clements and Rovers player Spark.

Clements added: “We had to bring a goalkeeper in and Evan is someone we know plenty about.

“I used to coach him a few years ago when I worked in the youth set-up at Cambridge United and Tom currently teaches him as part of the education programme at St Neots Town, where he studies.

“Evan can be very proud of the way he performed in such a big game.”

Rovers remain in third place in the Premier Division. They have closed to within 11 points of Norwich United and also possess a game in hand.