DMW January 29, 2000

DON'T you just hate it when this happens? The driving wind that has been aiding and abetting your opponents throughout the first half, turning every attempted clearance into an embarrassment, drops dramatically.

So the chances of salvaging any sort of result on a sticky, exposed pitch are virtually nil.

Steve Daley's troops had high hopes of extending their four-match winning run on Saturday, but came up against a much altered and improved Rocester side that ruthlessly exploited the appalling conditions at Hillsfield.

Rovers didn't help themselves either with frustrated front men Mark Benbow and Peter Sutton starved of decent service from midfield all afternoon.

Lying just one place below their visitors, Rocester made a brisk start, taking the lead after eight minutes. Right back Paul Ede's cross from 55 yards was escorted by a well-timed gust over Nore Gabbidon, who had inexplicably come off his line, and into the top corner.

The gobsmacked Greens rallied briefly, Mark Bowater spurned a 17th minute chance from Ryan Daley's free kick, but were knocked further back on their heels with goals on 24 and 26 minutes.

Andy Bott bagged the first, a near post header from Richard Owen's corner, while Andy Bourne made fools of his pursuers before beating Gabbidon with a weak, low shot that should have been stopped.

The second half was just a formality. With little wind assistance, Rovers tried, but failed, to breach an unshakeable home defence.

Sutton nodded Benbow's cross just over and Steve Ulfig was unlucky not to cap another excellent individual display when his header from John Humphreys' corner crashed against the bar with 17 minutes remaining.

Seconds later, Rocester nabbed a fourth with Bott bundling home Bourne's corner from easy range. In short, a hellish experience.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Townsend, Ulfig, Ashley, Bowater, Jinks, Humphreys, Davies (sub Ball 69), Sutton, Daley, Benbow (sub Hunter 69). Sub (unused): Cooper.

Attendance: 145. Rovers MoM: Steve Ulfig.