GODMANCHESTER Rovers went top of Division One of the Eastern Counties League on Saturday after a superb 7-1 thrashing of Swaffham Town.

There were two goals each for Mike Hyem, James Hall and Paul Bass, the latter making his full return from the Achilles injury that has kept him out of the side since October, while Matty Hanniver also got his name on the scoresheet.

“This performance will have given the messege to the others in the pack that Goddy are serious promotion contenders,” said joint-manager Nev Nania. “With just 13 League games left, the next six weeks are crucial.”

Goddy are now unbeaten in 15 League games and have slowly crept into the promotion race, finally reaching the top replacing March Town United who were without a game.

Hall cleverly beat his marker for 1-0 in the 15th minute before Hyem made it 2-0 in the 26th minute. Hanniver scored a brilliant volley on the half-hour mark for 3-0.

Then Bass got his first with a vicious free kick from the right hand side of the box.

In midfield Mike Hyem was playing out of his skin; one forceful run down the centre saw him beat four players and draw the goalkeeper before lobbing the ball just wide. It was Chris Hyem and Johnny Hall who combined for Mike Hyem to tap home his second just before half time. Both of the Hyem brothers should have added to the tally early in the second half before Hall got number six in the 60th minute.

Then Swaffham had a good spell and got their consolation goal – but it didn’t last; Goddy’s seventh came from the superb Bass, who drew the goalkeeper, waited for him to commit himself, before sublimely lobbing the ball over the top and under the bar.

The hard work – to stay top of the table – begins on Saturday when Goddy go to Ipswich wanderers.