GODMANCHESTER Rovers have nine games left in which to secure promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League.

Three points ahead of the chasing pack after Saturday’s excellent 3-0 win over visitors Ipswich Wanderers, the Nev Nania and David Hurst managed side are favourites to win the title – but, with their last two games against second-placed Whitton United and third-placed Thetford Town, they may face a tough end to their campaign yet, even if both of those games are at home.

More than 150 fans were at Bearscroft Lane to see the win – some turning up after a personal text from general manager Karly Hurst, who is determined to get the town behind the team.

“I texted a lot of people in the run up to the game and asked them to make their presence felt,” he told The Hunts Post.

“We have a team here that the town can be proud of and I want them to come along and support.”

“It’s a community thing and we want the community to come out.

“We have been getting some great crowds both home and away and it has been brilliant to see so many faces at games … but we want to see more.”

James Hall scored twice and Steven Hurst got the other goal in the win but the home side could have scored more. Striker Paul Bass hit the woodwork twice in the first half, either side of Hall’s opener, before playing his part in Hurst’s brilliant second.

It was a team effort, this one, with Jason King playing the ball out to the left to Mike Hyem who moved it out to Bass on the left touchline, just inside the Goddy half. Bass then played a majestic 45-yard cross-field pass with the outside of his right foot and Hurst smashed it home on the volley.

In the second half Ipswich upped their game and made it harder for Goddy, but Hall got number three when he hit home a low Joe Furness cross.

Co-manager Nania said: “Ipswich are a young and skilful side who had had only lost once since Christmas – against us!

“With nine games left we are well placed.”

Godmanchester’s remaining fixtures: Sat, Mar 10 – Swaffham Town away; Sat, Mar 17 – Fakenham Town at home; Sat, March 24 – Team Bury away; Sat, March 31 – Brightlingsea Regent at home; Sat, April 7 – Cornard United at home; Mon, April 9 – Brightlingsea Regent away; Sat, April 14 – Debenham LC away; Wed, April 18 – Thetford Town at home; Sat, April 21 – Whitton United at home.

Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Godmanchester Rovers 21 16 4 1 58 21 52

Thetford Town 20 16 1 3 62 18 49

Whitton United 22 14 6 2 49 20 48

Halstead Town 24 13 3 8 56 40 42

March Town United 23 13 2 8 45 23 41

Debenham LC 25 13 2 10 46 35 41

Brightlingsea Regent 24 13 1 10 47 40 40

Cambridge University 24 12 4 8 38 28 39

Fakenham Town 24 9 5 10 38 41 32

Swaffham Town 22 8 2 12 38 55 26

Ipswich Wanderers 23 8 1 14 37 66 25

Downham Town 24 6 5 13 30 51 23

Long Melford 22 7 1 14 30 50 22

Team Bury 20 6 2 12 30 36 20

Stowmarket Town 21 3 1 17 31 56 10

Cornard United 23 2 4 17 22 77 10