Rovers secured their first win of the 2024/25 season when easing to a 3-1 win away at 10 man Met Police.
With new management in charge it was a changed Rovers side that took to the field, with debuts for Dion-Curtis Henry between the sticks (Rovers third in three games), Darnell Bromfield and Nahum Melvin-Lambert.
Rovers started brightly and after three minutes a decent ball ball into the box by Jayden Smith saw efforts from Tyrese Osborne, Kareem Akinnibi and Melvin-Roberts all blocked.
There was a relative lull in proceedings with neither side able to take control until the Police took the lead on 17 minutes. Wilson Bernal burst down the right, was found by a tremendous through ball and fired home from a tight angle.
Fraser Robinson shot wide from the edge of the area as the Police looked to take advantage of what has been a fragile Rovers side this season.
However they found that todays line up was a different animal and Rovers responded positively, and thought they had levelled on 25 minutes when a Smith cross was turned in by Akinnibi but ruled out for handball.
The game swung dramatically in Rovers favour on the half hour when Police skipper Benjamin Mendoza shoved Matt Tanton leaving the referee with little option but to issue a red card.
Rovers took quick advantage of the extra man and levelled things up on 36th minute. A short Smith corner found Adam Aziz and his lobbed finish bought the scores level and in truth it was no more than the visitors deserved.
Half time saw the sides go in level.
Rovers started the second half brightly and a couple of minutes in and Osborne unleashed a fierce drive bringing a tremendous save out of Police keeper Max Foulkes.
It was 2-1 to Rovers on 53 minutes, and again Smith was instrumental, this time his deep cross eluding Foulkes and allowing Melvin-Lambert the simple task of heading home for a debut goal.
Aziz then saw a low drive well blocked by a defender before making way for Osaretin Otete.
The Police were not going away though and good work by goalscorer Bernal saw him set up Cadell Robinson but his effort was well held by Henry in the Rovers goal.
Melvin-Lambert made was for Timmy Obisanya on the hour and with twenty minutes remaining Obisanya linked up with Osborne only to see his effort fly over the bar.
Rovers made a three more changes with just over fifteen to go, Bradley Manning on debut, Noah Africa and Cam Dobell replacing Smith, Bromfield and Akinnibi respectively.
Otete found Osborne but he fired just wide as Rovers looked to secure all three points, and as the game approached the whistle a deep free kick found Bertie Lloyd and his nod back to substitute Dobell saw the eventual shot blocked.
Stoppage time saw Manning bring a tidy save out of Foulkes before the excellent Osborne sealed the win in the 93rd minute after being set up by Otete.
Rovers were possibly fortunate to avoid a red card when Sidney Gbla raced clear only to be hauled down by Kwabena Osei, but fortunately a covering defender meant it was only a yellow.
Plenty of positives for Rovers as they picked up their first win of the season and look forward to a crucial Bank Holiday Monday clash with
Image shows Tyrese in action against Hayes & Yeading as yours truly is away.