Skipper Micky Hyem insisted Godmanchester Rovers got their gameplan spot-on to complete a double over the pre-season Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title favourites.

A first-half brace from Buster Harradine earned a 2-1 victory at big-spending Stowmarket last Saturday as Rovers followed up a 3-2 home success against the same opponents earlier in the season.

The latest triumph was gained without their manager as Ollie Drake served a one-game stadium ban. Assistant boss Errol McCammon and Drake’s father, Steve, took charge of Rovers who got off to the perfect start when Hyem created a fifth-minute opener for Harradine following a slick counter-attack.

The captain also laid on Harradine’s second goal 10 minutes before the break after picking the pocket of a home defender.

Stowmarket halved their arrears just after the hour and a fine Chris Hyem challenge denied them a leveller before Matty Allan missed a good chance to make the margin of Rovers’ victory more emphatic.

Skipper Hyem said: “It was nice to play on a good pitch and in front of a decent crowd which we managed to silence early on with the first goal.

“It was a good team performance to again beat the side who were favourites to win the title.

“Errol and Steve got us organised and the gameplan to play on the counter attack worked really well.”

The victory, earned in front of an attendance of 301, left Rovers second in the Premier Division standings, six points behind leaders Histon who have beaten them twice this term.

Rovers will make another trip to Stowmarket in the third round of the League Challenge Cup next month. That tie is scheduled for November 20.

They made progress with a 3-2 victory against fellow Premier Division side Walsham-le-Willows in the second round last Tuesday.

Harradine’s opener was cancelled out from the penalty spot before the break at the David Wilson Homes Ground.

Harradine turned provider as defender Charlie Bowen struck for the second time in as many matches to restore the lead before Jack Chandler got in on the act with a third goal.

But Walsham-le-Willows hit back before being denied a last-gasp equaliser by the woodwork as Rovers held on.

Loan signing Joe Walker has impressed in both recent Rovers games, but another defender – Tom Moran – has left the club.