THIS has been an excellent week. Seven away goals, six points and two more clean sheets.

Deservedly we head the table. Pride of place must go to the audacious assault on fortress Aldershot.

Aldershot home form has been outstanding, before the Rovers game it was played five and won four, drawn one and just one goal conceded! A tough task looked to be ahead of us. Not so!

In a scintillating display Rovers scored four. Superior in every department our side showed how good they can be. Experienced viewers said it was the best performance by a FGR side they had ever seen.

Then came North Ferriby. We passed the pub, post office and village hall and parked the bus alongside some splendidly cultivated allotments. Laden fruit trees were so close to the path behind the goal there were opportunities for scrumping. We could have been playing at Ambridge.

The story of North Ferriby however is far from and everyday story of country folk. Two recent wins at Wembley plus promotion to the National League showed the club to be on of some substance. It also showed the strength of the pyramid system in non-league football. The size of the club is not paramount. It is ability that counts. This warm welcoming club are playing a league above Halifax Town and Stockport County, as well as a large number of previous Conference giants.

Quite properly they made life for Rovers as difficult as possible. Harrying, hustling in midfield and tackling determinedly in defence there was little time or room for Rovers to get their passing game going. We were nullified by the fighting Ferriby side. Rovers stood firm however and eventually quality won the day.

Our two standout central defenders both scored from well delivered balls into the box. Ethan Pinnock scored his first goal for the club from a well-placed free-kick and Charlie Clough headed an accurate corner into the Ferriby net. The third goal by substitute Christian Doidge gave the scoreline a flattering look, but whose complaining?

Manager Mark Cooper, in order to get his team going switched the system from time-to- time. He is certainly not just a plan A man! Defender Dale Bennett was moved into the middle to help Charlie and Ethan. Long balls to quick attacks was the sole Ferriby way of attack and with the help of the pacy Dale these were quickly snuffed out. Lessons had obviously been learned from dealing less well with smash and grab Dover.

It was my first chance to look at new left-back DanWishart. He was very confident on the ball and quick to get forward, an undoubtedly asset to an every improving team.

It was far from the greatest of games at North Ferriby, but our team did not flinch.

Now we pause from league action and the FA Cup takes over and it is worth while looking at the National League. The battle of the managers will be the key. Lincoln City stole a march on everyone by signing the Cowley brothers from Braintree.

Tranmere have belatedly acted and Nicky Mellon replaces Gary Brabin, while Dagenham and Redbridge had John Still. John wears the T-shirt that reads "bin there, done that".

We have manager Mark, demanding his players and tactically aware, firm and not afraid to think on his feet he will surely prove to be the ace in the pack. He has a strong hand to play with.