Match Report  |  Bourne Town vs Gresley Rovers

Manager Carl Abbott must have D:Ream’s Things Can Only Get Better on a loop in his car as once again he was without many of his senior players - at least ten of them as his side made the long journey to Bourne only to be roundly beaten by a good well organised side.

Bourne were in front after 14 minutes when a hopeful attempt by the impressive striker Will Bird from distance looped over Rovers’ keeper Jack Sandel and into the far corner. This was a couple of minutes later with Martin Tudosa firing a stinging shot straight at Sandel.

The homeside were constantly threatening and were helped by the visitors playing woefully short passes putting Bourne on the front foot. Forcing a corner Bourne almost doubled their advantage with Tudosa heading over the bar.

Rovers had a rare effort on goal with Jamie Sleigh firing over the bar. However, it didn’t take too long for Bourne to add to their tally when a good move down the right saw a shot from Bird beat Sindel and heading to the net bit despite a good effort to keep the ball out it eventually dribbled over the line.

Another half chance fell to Sleigh on the half hour mark being set up by Tristan Burke, but his shot went straight to the home keeper Dan Swan. That man Bird scored his and Bourne’s third when he hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Almost on the stroke of halftime Rovers went agonisingly close to grabbing a goal but Jake Meakin’s terrific shot from just outside the area was brilliantly saved by Swan diving full length to his right after being largely unemployed for much of the half.

After the break Rovers made their first change with Seb Owen replacing young defender Phil Kowalski, but it was still Bourne who were putting on all the pressure as Rover’s error count continued to rise and they soon found themselves even further behind on 58 minutes when Henry Dunn struck a shot across the face of the goal and into the far bottom corner.

Still Bourne came at Rovers with Martin Tudosa going close with his shot flashing by an upright. Rovers were given some respite as the home side replaced the impressive Bird but it did nothing to prevent the pressure Rovers were under and the game ended with Bourne adding a fifth goal in time added on following good play across the front of Rovers’ back line with Jack Wilson finishing the move firing home.

Rovers had been well beaten and it is hoped that with all the returning players hopefully back for their next game results will begin to improve.