Recap

Rovers opening match of Championship 1 saw 6 different players get on the scoresheet versus Mont Buxton FC in a one sided encounter at Stade Linite.

Rovers had 6 debutants in the match including 16 year old academy player Kidron Ladouceur between the posts.

New signing Valdemar De Souza opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a mazy run and slick back heel pass from captain Randolph Lablache with De Souza finishing into an open net from close range with his left foot.

Fabien Chang-Time then doubled Rovers’ lead in the 29th minute with a cheeky lob from outside the box after being played in on goal from a Fabian Lablache pass.

Rovers had numerous other chances to increase their lead but for some wasteful finishing the half ended at 2-0.

The second half continued with the same pattern of Rovers piling the pressure on Mont Buxton who sat 10 men behind the ball and rarely ventured into their opponents half.

The pressure paid off in the 62nd minute as Jean-Michel Vidot was fouled in the penalty box after getting by his marker.

Randolph Lablache calmly slotted the resulting penalty past ex-Rovers player Eddy Barbe in the Mont Buxton goal.

Three minutes later Trevor Vidot came on for the lively De Souza and took up Randolph Lablache’s position in central midfield with Lablache moving out to the left wing.

Some neat interplay in the box saw Lablache touch a short pass to Jean-Michel Vidot who slotted it past the ‘keeper from a few yards out to make it 4-0.

Rovers increased their lead only two minutes later when new recruit Lucas Panayi’s long range effort slammed into the back of the net with the goalkeeper rooted to his spot.

Jim Loizeau and newly arrived Gervais Croise replaced Panayi and Vidot to freshen up the Rovers attack. Shortly followed by Yanick Hollanda and Jean-Marc Prea who replaced debutant defenders Kevin Joubert and Valdo Azemia who had very little work to do on the day.

Trevor Vidot was lively after coming on and unlucky not to get a few goals but he finally scored in the 86th minute to make it 6-0 after being played in smartly by Chang-time.

Rovers Head Coach, Steve Herbots said: “I’m delighted with the start. It reflects the attitude the players have had all preseason.

“To keep a clean sheet and score six goals, creating a few more opportunities and limiting our opponents to not much was positive. I’m delighted for the players. It’s good to get up and running in the Championship.

“Hopefully we can continue this successful run, but we need to improve our will to impose our own tempo on the opponents instead of dropping down to their level like in the first half.

“We need to work together as a team and when you are a good team you have a good chance to win games.”

Rovers next match will be home to Glacis FC on Monday 7th December at Stade Linite.