Two set pieces enough to secure three vital points

Match report from Andy Harris.

Rovers overcame a determined Bishops Cleeve and some horrendous weather to secure three valuable points and move up to 6th place in the table.

After a shaky start that almost saw leading scorer, Kevin Slack, open the scoring for the home side on 6 minutes when he failed to hit the target with a clear shooting opportunity Rovers began to exert control. Kane Ingram had a volley go just wide on 12 minutes and a minute later Josh Jeffries ball inside the full back saw Ben Lacey race clear but fail to hit the target with his shot. Lacey then turned provider but Matt Cooper also saw his shot go wide before Slack gave a timely reminder of his quality with a shot that also went wide.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes as acting skipper, Rob Cousins, sent in a free kick from just inside the Bishop Cleeve half, which Ollie Price headed home.

Rovers’ lead was almost cancelled out 2 minutes later as James Tyrrell conceded a free kick just outside the area. Slack’s well struck low free kick evaded the wall but not Rovers’ keeper Kyle Phillips who produced a fine save. Lacey then forced home keeper, Tom King, to make a fine save while at the other end the lively Slack slammed shot into the side netting. Rovers looked to be finishing the half strongly as Cooper did well to win the ball and cross from the left to the far post where Claridge’s volley hit the post. Lacey then went on a fine run don the left but King did well to cut out the cross.

However the home side drew level right on half time. Several players indulged in a game of head tennis in midfield before Gareth Hopkins finally made a decisive contact that sent Slack clear and his shot across Phillips found he bottom corner of the net.

The second half began in torrential rain and neither side were able to mount a serious threat, although on 57 minutes a great run from Lacey past several players ended with a crude lunge from central defender, John Routledge, which earned him a yellow card.

Bishops Cleeve paid the penalty as from the resultant free kick, again from Cousins, it was Claridge who this time rose above everyone else to head home and restore Rovers lead.

Slack’s long throw a minute later saw Hopkins collect at the near post, turn and shoot straight at Phillips. On the hour mark Cousins was denied, what almost certainly would have been the goal of the season, as his 40 yard shot was tipped onto the bar by King! With 20 minutes remaining the home side suffered a huge blow as Routledge clattered Claridge from behind and didn’t even bother waiting for referee, Mr Matthews, to reach for a yellow and then red card as he departed for the welcoming warm of the dressing room.

Claridge and Cooper had efforts blocked by a desperate defence and the latter failed to hit the target with a great chance created by Lacey and it almost proved critical as in the final moments Slack did well down the right and his deflected cross beat Phillips and went just wide of the far post.

Team: Phillips, Ingram (Caldwell 76 mins). Rich, Tyrrell, Price, Cousins (Tovey 80 mins), Jeffries, Harvey, Claridge, Cooper, Lacey.
Subs not used: Waters, Milsom, Plummer

Referee: A Mathews
Assts: C Smith /A Phillips

Attendance: 47

Star Man: Rob Cousins

'The Villagers' website is at-  http://www.webteams.co.uk/club.asp?club=bishopscleevefc

Meanwhile some commerative 'Living The Dream' T-Shirts  at £3-50 ans the Special Souvenier Match day Programme at £2-50 each are still available. Mail oder requests are still been dealt with so stocks are dwindling. The 1/2 Paulton Rovers 1/2 Norwich City  scarves have sold out and it is uncertain wether any more will be ordered. club. A limited supply of Tshirts are being sold for the club by Performance Sports Shops in Midsomer Norton as well as The Little Chef in Farington Gurney.For any postal applications please send a sufficiently addressed stamped addressed envelop to the club.  Details of the address are on the website www.paultonrovers.fc  under contacts. Payable to Paulton Rovers FC. 

Any changes to these arrangements will be posted here as soon as available.