REDBROOK Rovers strengthened their promotion hopes in the North Gloucestershire Division One with a commanding 4-1 victory over fellow contenders Yorkley.

The fixture, often a heated affair, lived up to expectations as both sides started with real intensity, producing an open and end-to-end contest.

The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Tom Wareham latched onto a perfectly timed through ball and calmly slotted past the advancing goalkeeper to put Rovers ahead.

Yorkley responded strongly, pushing forward and creating chances of their own. Their persistence was rewarded before half-time when they scrambled home an equaliser at the back post, sending the sides in level at 1-1.

The second half began in much the same fashion, with both teams attacking and looking capable of taking the lead. Yorkley came close to regaining the advantage when a long-range effort rattled the crossbar, but Rovers soon seized the momentum.

Ieuan Frost restored the home side’s lead with a well-timed header, rising highest to power the ball into the net and make it 2-1. Redbrook kept up the pressure, and Scott Windley extended the lead with a composed finish to make it 3-1, giving the hosts breathing space as the match entered its closing stages.

As Yorkley pushed forward in search of another goal, they left gaps at the back, which Rovers exploited. Wareham capitalised on one of these openings to score his second of the afternoon in the 82nd minute, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory.

It was a strong team performance from Rovers, with Daniel Hudson standing out to earn the man of the match award. The win reinforces Redbrook’s position at the top end of North Gloucestershire Division One, and they now sit second on 34 points, just behind leaders Staunton and Corse, who have 36 points.