Trying to cram a match report on an eight goal thriller into 250 words is no easy feat, especially when you waste 18 of them telling you that, and 10 telling you that.
But in true Rovers fashion, their first round cup clash with Ebbsfleet United was a game heavy on the goals but easy on the thrill.
After an early scare afforded by a goalkeeping blunder and lousy defensive errors put them 2-0 down, Rovers managed to save face before half time by bundling in two sloppy goals which were barely worthy of note.
The second half started in more positive fashion, and when James Coppinger scored a heavily deflected third goal you could tell the inevitable was on the cards.
Jordan Houghton added the fourth and a chipped penalty from Coppinger poured misery on the 10-man home side in what was arguably the best goal of the game.
When Tommy Rowe fired in a sixth most of the 2,000 people in attendance had dispersed, and the chirpy guy sporting a bow tie in the ‘corporate seats’ next to the away end had disappeared into hiding.
But both sides had reason to feel deflated. Rovers will take few positives home from a game where we looked shaky, constantly ill at ease and without shape.
Rodney Kongolo was the star of the game, one of few players that genuinely looked a cut above the non-league opposition.
But talk of magic of the cup. What magic?
247, 248, 249, 250.
by Jack Peat
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