ATM 1-2 NEW ROVERS

Stepford.

Our hardest game of the season so far against a much changed ATM side - new players/ new name this week (ATM FC now, not ATM UNITED) - which certainly led to our most committed defensive display, with very effective high tempo pressing, much improved physicality and an outstanding display from a Back 4 with Cha Henderson settling into full back with another impressive performance, Johnny Greenwood and Abdulrahman Alsahar dominant in the centre of the defence throughout and, for the last 60 minutes, outstanding defending from Israel Onwubiko at left back against a Kilmarnock full-timer, ATM’s most dangerous attacker - the defending so effective that Eliasz Zalewski was only called on to make a couple of real saves, competently dealt with.

The midfield was also considerably improved both with and without the ball; Rameez Javed added much needed physical presence to that area and, in the second half, Nabil Al Humaidi brought a sharpness and composure in this high tempo match, using the ball very cleverly.

In attack, TUACENIO DOS SANTOS netted twice - the first getting onto the end of Paul Sweeney’s excellent long range free kick, the second - after ATM’s high class equaliser (offside?) - a close-in finish set up by Ousmane Cissé and Harald Martins. Cissé put in a strong shift against a tall, decent standard defence, well supported by Andrea Ekuase, who gave his best display of the season so far with a high work rate.

Debutants Santos - a real handful throughout - Gebril Abdulrahman and Joe Martin all contributed to a highly satisfactory overall performance which clinched three vital points to take us to the top of the table after six games.

Zalewski; Henderson, Alsahar, Greenwood, Sweeney (Al Humaidi); Byfanzi (Abdulrahman), Javed, Martin (Dos Santos), Ekuase (Martins), Cissé, Onwubiko. Sub not used: Aziz.