Ollie Drake has hailed the ability of his Godmanchester Rovers players to bounce back from adversity.
Rovers saw their hopes of a third place finish in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division ended last Tuesday. They had goalkeeper Phil Peachey sent off when crashing to a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Stanway Rovers – only a third league loss of 2018.
But Drake’s men refused to feel sorry for themselves and responded by slamming in 11 goals in their next two outings.
Striker Ben Yeomans, who had donned the gloves as an emergency keeper following Peachey’s dismissal against Stanway, starred in his regular position by hitting a hat-trick as they triumphed 5-1 at Fakenham last Thursday. Defender Charlie Brown and leading scorer Jack Chandler also struck in Norfolk.
And that was followed by a 6-1 home drubbing of bottom side Wivenhoe last Saturday – a result which clinched fourth spot for Drake’s men.
Yeomans struck twice to continue his rich vein of scoring form. Tom Moran, Simon Unwin, Reece King and Chandler were the other players to find the net.
Drake said: “It’s a shame we need to suffer the odd defeat to give ourselves a kick up the backside, but they way we respond is always pleasing. It says a huge amount about the character of the boys.
“It’s been a great effort to get through so many games lately, but huge credit in particular goes to Ben.
“He didn’t even have to be asked to put the gloves on against Stanway and then hit five goals in his next two games.
“It’s also really pleasing to see Tom getting more and more minutes under his belt. He was out for a long time and we certainly missed him.”
Rovers go to Stowmarket tonight (Tuesday) for a fourth-against-third clash. They complete their campaign over the Bank Holiday weekend with a Saturday trip to Wroxham followed by a home date against Ely City on Monday.
A home clash against Kirkley & Pakefield – which has been postponed on three occasions – will not now take place.
Drake added: “The league have declared that game void. The fact we will finish fourth and look like getting over 90 points, despite playing a game less than everyone else, is a great effort.”
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