Josh Jeffries brace sees Rovers come back form 2-0 down to secure three vital points.

Full match report from Andy Harris 

Rovers were forced to come from 2-0 down to claim three vital points in the race for the playoffs.

VT went close on 3 minutes as a corner from the left was punched out by Rovers’ keeper Kyle Phillips and Ryan Ashford hit a well struck volley that just cleared the bar. Rovers’ first chance came a minute later as a poor clearance from home keeper, Scott O’Rourke, was controlled by Josh Jeffries who set up Rob Claridge whose shot was easily saved.

Rovers signed John Lock from Cinderford Town on Friday and the central defender was penalised for a foul 25 yards out, after 10 minutes. Ryan Ashford’s free kick beat the wall and bounced awkwardly for keeper, Kyle Phillips, who could only push the ball into the roof of the net.

It was somewhat against the run of play and despite continuing to enjoy more territory and possession, Rovers went further behind on 27 minutes, as a ball over their defence saw VT skipper Kevin Gibbens, race clear and fire home from a narrow angle.   

Rovers could have been forgiven for thinking it was not going to be their day as two minutes later Charlie Rich sent in a free kick that Ollie Price, at the far post, volleyed onto the bar and Lock’s follow up shot was cleared off the line.  However they pulled one back on 33 minutes when Ben Lacey crossed from the right and Josh Jeffries stretched his right leg around a defender to volley home.

Rovers then had a penalty appeal turned down as the lively Lacey picked out Claridge, whose shot struck a defender.

The second period belonged to the visitors and they went close 5 minutes after the break as Claridge sent Lacey away and his cross was met at the near post by Joe White, but his touch was just wide.

Rovers continued to press and restored parity on 75 minutes as Charlie Rich’s left wing corner dropped to defender Ollie Price who smashed the ball into the net.

It looked as though the resultant celebrations might be short lived as on 84 minutes a simple ball over the defence saw Gibbens race clear. Phillips raced from his goal to touch the ball away but substitute Danny Cox sent in a shot that came back off the far post and was scrambled to safety.

It was just the luck Rovers needed and on their overall performance, deserved and they went ahead in spectacular fashion with two just minutes left as Phillip’s free kick was headed out by substitute, Paul Sales, and Jeffries fired home a left foot volley from 25 yards into the far top corner of the net giving O’Rourke no chance.

There was still time for substitute, Matt Cooper, to send Lacey clear and he slipped the past the advancing keeper to ensure Rovers secured a remarkable and much needed victory.

For an alternative view (when updated) log onto:- http://vtfc.footballclubwebsite.co.uk/scorecard/fixtureID_121770/1stTeam_v_PaultonRovers_30-Jan-2010.aspx

Teams:
VT FC: O’Rourke, Carter, Diaper, Camfield, Bright, Mason, Ashford (Sales 63 mins), Austin, Gibbens (C), Hunt (Brewster78 mins), Bowers (Cox 78 mins)
Subs not used: Hannan, Lee

Rovers:  Phillips, Ball, Rich, Lock, Price, Cousins (Collier 90 mins) Jeffries, White (Cooper 68 mins), Claridge, Cleverley (C), Lacey
Subs not used: Cooper, Collier, Milsom, Tovey

Star Man: Josh Jeffries

Referee: A Bird
Assts: J Whitehead / A Hunt
Attendance: 116