GODMANCHESTER Rovers finally gave boss David Hurst something to smile about at the expense of Eynesbury Rovers.

GODMANCHESTER Rovers finally gave boss David Hurst something to smile about at the expense of Eynesbury Rovers.

Hurst said his team’s early FA Cup exit had been the catalyst for Saturday’s victory, which left Eynesbury boss Matt Plumb looking for a solution to his team’s poor start to the season.

Jake Burton’s first-half double sealed the hosts’ passage into the next round and, though Joe Jordan found the net for Eynesbury on 79 minutes, they were unable to complete a memorable comeback.

Godmanchester manager David Hurst said: “It was a good cup tie and, although it was 2-1, I think it was very comfortable for us and the scoreline flattered them a little bit.

“We perhaps let ourselves down in the FA Cup this season and were bitterly disappointed to go out in the round that we did, which would have been money for the club.

“The players knew that and I think it spurred them on a bit in the FA Vase game.”

“Their goal late on put us under a little bit of pressure in the last 10 minutes, but they never looked like they were going to score again.”

Goddy’s next opponents, Framlington Town, won 2-1 at Stowmarket Town on Saturday and Hurst said his team would be ready.

“I’m very optimistic we can get through that one as well,” he said.

For Eynesbury, manager Plumb said he would take ultimate responsibility if he is unable to turn Rovers’ slow start to the season around by the end of October.

Rovers have already slipped to two defeats in their first three league fixtures, despite starting the season among the title favourites.

They were also sent crashing out of the UCL League Cup at the first hurdle last week, comprehensively beaten 6-0 at home by UCL Premier neighbours St Neots Town.

Plumb acknowledged his side had not made the best of starts, but remains confident an upturn in fortunes is just around the corner.

He said: “I should have a fully-fit squad again by mid-October and I’m confident that by that time we will be back on song again.

“And, if it doesn’t work, I’ll hold my hands up and say ‘Well, it must be down to me’.

“We haven’t been at the races at all so far and it’s a struggle.

“I’m not blaming the players but as a squad we’re not strong enough at the moment.

“I’ve got quality players who aren’t playing and it doesn’t matter how good a team you’ve got, if your best players aren’t playing, you are not going to win games of football.”

Plumb also hit back at what he described as unfair criticism from the sidelines during their cup reverse against St Neots last week.

He said: “There were people standing on the sidelines slagging me off after St Neots.

“But I thought ‘Well, if you give me a budget like St Neots have, I’ll be able to put that sort of side out.’

“I give all credit to the players. They easily could have folded and conceded double figures at St Neots but they didn’t.

“And I also thought they were superb for the last half-an-hour of the game at Godmanchester.”