Godmanchester Rovers aim to go unbeaten after table-topping double
Micky Hyem hit one of the goals as Godmanchester Rovers sank leaders Norwich United. - Credit: Archant
Godmanchester Rovers boss Matt Clements is convinced his team have the class to go unbeaten until the end of the season.
Rovers have reeled off five successive Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division triumphs during a run which stretches back to Boxing Day.
The best of those successes arrived last Saturday as they won 2-1 at table-topping Norwich United to complete a double over the reigning champions.
Defender Charlie Bowen and in-form Micky Hyem struck early goals before goalkeeper Niall Conroy produced a vital penalty save in the second half after the hosts had slashed their arrears.
Clements said: “It was a terrific performance for two different aspects.
“Our attacking play was outstanding in the first half and no-one could possibly have argued that a 5-0 lead would have flattered us.
“We knew it would be very different in the second half, but the lads defended superbly to keep themselves ahead and the penalty save was a massive moment.
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“Beating the top team twice certainly isn’t a fluke, but it is no surprise to me either.
“I know what this group of players are capable of achieveing and I feel they’re good enough to go unbeaten for the rest of the season.”
That will be a mammoth task for fourth-placed Rovers with 15 Premier Division fixtures still remaining, but they did enjoy a run of 12 league games without defeat earlier in the campaign when playing similarly well.
Despite recording two successes against Norwich United, Rovers remain 17 points adrift of the pacesetters but they do boast three games in hand.
They have closed to within six points of second-placed Stanway and securing that position will be essential if, as last season, Norwich United were to win the title and decline the opportunity to go up.
Clements handed a debut to latest Cambs League capture Jordan Traynier, who arrived from Fulbourn Institute, last Saturday.
Three other recruits – St Neots pair Charlie Lewis and Chris Lewis, and Histon scholar Luke Brown – were among the substitutes.
Godmanchester saw their clash against Haverhill postponed tonight (Wednesday) as their wait to play at the David Wilson Homes Ground continued. They haven’t appeared on home turf since December 19.
They are scheduled to host Hadleigh this Saturday before entertaining Eynesbury Rovers in a Hunts Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday for the right to face St Ives in the final.