On 11 minutes a corner wasn’t cleared which resulted in a scramble inside the Hackney Wick box. The ball fell to the feet of Caiden Remy-Dee but his close range effort clipped the left post.

Hackney Wick would threaten from set pieces and long balls into the box. However, the back line of the Rovers was well commanded by Mitchell Arthur and Kye Jude who ensured the opposition didn’t have any clear cut opportunities and George Marsh dominated his goal to claim any balls over the top and was hardly troubled.

The hosts however would have one clear cut opportunity midway through the first half. Rovers were caught out on a counter attack as the ball was played through the midfield and Nickal David-Luzolo was put through on goal. The forward skipped past the on-rushing George Marsh and passed the ball into the open net before Jayden Alexander made a fantastic recovery run from the edge of the box to clear the ball off the line.

On 30 minutes, Riley Scopes had to unfortunately leave the field after lengthy treatment and Brandy Makuendi came on in his place,

With over five minutes left of the first half, Rovers went close on two consecutive occasions.

A neat counter attack from the back was played through to Mitchell Arthur down the left. His cross was headed away to Shaun Gittleson on the edge of the area and he struck a sweet half volley which Tyron Osadolor was well equal to parry around the left post. Straight after, a corner whipped in by Shaun Gittleson found Mitchell Arthur who headed just wide.

Just before the break, Brandy Makuendi picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and played a ball out wide to Remy-Dee on the left and he played a great ball to the back post which Shaun Gittleson headed into the side netting.

Halftime: Hackney Wick 0-0 Rovers

The second half was more of the same as both teams went in search of the opening goal but failed to produce any clear cut opportunities.

It wasn’t until through the second half, Rovers finally made the deserved breakthrough.

A long throw into the box by Dylan Lovely from the right wasn’t cleared and the ball dropped kindly for Mitchell Arthur at the front post to bury the ball into the bottom left from a tight acute angle.

It was a well deserved lead and Rovers had several more chances soon after but failed to capitalise.

Minutes later, Shaun Gittleson whipped in a dangerous in-swinging free kick from the left and Caiden Remy-Dee flicked the ball just over the bar. Soon after, Rovers caught the hosts on a counter. Reece Placid regained possession in the edge of his own box and found the run of Jack Mitchell up the field. The forward went on a solo run at goal and cut inside before seeing his close range effort blocked.

The hosts would attempt to catch the Rovers in the counter in the latter stages of the game and started to throw everything they had in the late stages. Thankfully, Rovers did well soaking up the pressure and didn’t allow the hosts any clear cut opportunities that troubled George Marsh and Rovers would see out the game to claim all three points.

Fulltime: Hackney Wick 0-1 Rovers

A much needed three points that sees the Rovers move up the table.

Many thanks to the travelling supporters who turned out in the cold rain at Witham. Your support is much appreciated.