GREAT Wakering Rovers manager Gary Ansell has revealed a new formation could be key heading into the Ryman North season, after watching his team prove their mettle against two National League South sides.

Rovers came from a losing position against East Thurrock United on Saturday to win 3-2 and, although they lost by the same score-line to Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday, Rovers were leading 2-1 with just 10 minutes remaining.

Two goals down at half-time against Rocks, Ansell and first-team coach Rob Polkinghorn changed to a 4-2-3-1 and the manager said his team looked a different outfit, having been walloped 7-0 by Southend United in their pre-season curtain-raiser.

“After the Southend game I wasn’t worried but I was a bit concerned about the way we went about things,” said Ansell. “We did the same formation first half against East Thurrock and weren’t in it so we changed things at half-time and we excelled after that.

“We were enjoying our football and we played with a smile on our face and we were the dominant force.

“Rob Polkinghorn looked at our personnel and we were playing fairly tight in midfield to keep compact and he thought we thought we could be more expansive.

“The new formation gave us more freedom and more space.

“(East Thurrock manager) John Coventry was full of praise for the team as well which was nice to hear.

“Bishop’s Stortford started well and had a good first 10 minutes but we had a good hour where we bossed things and we had a lot of offer and that was very good.

“We came back two weeks earlier than most teams so we should be fitter.”

Tony Jacobs and Adalberto Pinto got the Wakering goals, with a goal in the 90th minute condemning them to defeat.

They now travel to Essex Senior League side Hullbridge Sports on Saturday as the new season draws closer.

Ansell also confirmed that striker Jake Gordon has joined Canvey Island, having been trialling with them for the past few weeks.

“Jake was speaking with AFC Sudbury and Canvey and I understand he wants to play at a higher level,” he said. “I can’t compete with Canvey financially so he has made the move.”