Harvey strike provides Rovers with a victory (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Harvey strike provides Rovers with a victory

AN outrageous Anders Harvey strike ten minutes into the second half was a memorable touch of class in an otherwise disenchanting Northern Senior League encounter.

Not that the three points weren't more than welcome for a Bourton Rovers side getting back on track after their recent poor run of results.

But it did, once again, demonstrated their durability at the Rissington Road ground where they've been defeated just once in six outings this term.

The manner of the victory owed much to the first appearance of Harvey and the commanding defensive presence of Steven Stroud, both helping out the Rovers with current side Cheltenham Saracens rendered fixtureless.

Harvey's strike was something special. Picking up the ball just inside the Civil Service half, he wriggled away from two would-be challengers before hitting a ferocious, swerving strike that cannoned in off the inside of an upright.

Civil Service, coming fresh off the back of successive victories, may have felt harshly done by returning to Cheltenham without a share of the spoils.

Although they had more possession, it would be hard to recall a clear-cut chance with Rovers' keeper Andrew Herbert having his quietest game of the season thus far.

In reply, the home side, often spoilt for options after springing a precarious Service offside trap, spurned four of five golden opportunities.

David D'avanzo was the first culprit. Played clear down the right, he chose to shoot from the corner of the 18-yard box rather than square it to the advancing Tim Hudson whose drive lacked conviction.

Mathew Winter and Mark Payne then contrived to waste an even better opening, leading scorer Winter betraying his instincts to pass, where he would normally have shot.

Service pressed more as the game wore on which left space for Mark Payne and Daniel Ludlow to exploit behind them.

In fact, Ludlow missed another gilt-edged chance when he sliced his finish with just the keeper in front of him.

Despite annihilation at the hands of Sharpness the previous week, player-manager John Robson kept faith in the wing-back formation with Stroud, Bryan Brain and himself making for a solid defensive trio.

Hudson, Harvey, and Winter in the midfield worked efficiently to stifle the remaining threat without being overly creative themselves.

And there was relief all round when Harvey's wonder strike broke the deadlock and ultimately sealed the victory.