Rovers earn a point with a last minute equaliser

Match report from Andy Harris

Match sponsors:-Flowervision Limited of Bristol

Match Ball sponsor:-Dave Finch of Fastway Couriers Ltd

Honours ended even at the end of an exciting local derby between two sides with credible play off aspirations, although the match ended on a controversial note with the dismissal of Town keeper, Tom Manley, for foul and abusive language towards the referee, Paul Brown.

The visitors were quickly into their stride and made an impressive start although the Rovers’ defence with a new central pairing of Lee Marshall and Ollie Price coped well and the first clear-cut chance of the game fell to the home side on 15 minutes. Ben Lacey went on a great run down the right wing and Manley pushed out his cross to Rob Cousins, whose volley was cleared off the line by a covering defender. Bridgwater then broke quickly two minutes later but Natt Pepperell’s cross from the right eluded the unmarked skipper, Chris Young.

Rovers were unlucky on 27 minutes as the lively Lacey was brought down 35 yards out in a central position. Marshall’s fee kick looked to be heading for the bottom corner but a defender stuck out a leg and Rob Claridge on the stretch saw his volleyed effort from the rebound clear the bar. With Rovers now pressing the visitors broke again on 34 mins in a repeat of their earlier chance. However this time Pepperell’s cross found Young, but his header was straight at Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips.

Alex Ball and Claridge had further chances for Rovers and Manley made a great blocking save to deny Joe White, while at the other end Pepperell went close for Town as the first half ended in stalemate.

The second period began much as the first with both sides cancelling each other out. Brett Trowbridge had a shot deflected for a corner for Town and White latched onto a blocked clearance for Rovers but had no support and ran out of options. Rovers best chance to date came on 78 minutes as substitute, Matt Cooper, won a header which sent Rovers’ other substitute, Charlie Rich, clear but he sent his shot across Manley and wide of the far post.

The visitors went ahead on 75 minutes as Pepperell once again sent Young away down the right and a clumsy and needless challenge from Price on Young, saw Mr Brown in consultation with his assistant correctly award the penalty. Pepperell sent his shot low to Phillips left and although the keeper got a good hand to it it carried sufficient weight to find the back of the net.

With the home side pressing for an equaliser it was Town who almost doubled their lead on 85 minutes as Graham Mercica cut in from the left ,beating two defenders, before sending in a shot that Phillips got a strong right hand to and deflected the ball for a corner.

With the 90 minutes up a series of corners saw Rovers lay siege to the visitor’s goal and after Cooper had sent in a header that Manley did well to save the same player eventually got his side a vital point. Rich’s disputed corner from the right picked out Copper at the near post and he headed home.

Manley clearly unhappy at both the award of the corner and the length of time added on at the end of the game voiced his objections to Mr Brown who showed him the red card. There was insufficient time for Rovers to make their numerical advantage pay or test stand in keeper, Jamie Price, as both sides were forced to settle for a point, which with games in hand, was probably more beneficial to the visitors than their hosts.

Teams:
Rovers: Phillips, Ball, Lane, Marshall, Price, Cousins (Rich 66 mins), Jeffries, White (Cooper 67 mins), Claridge, Cleverley (C), Lacey
Subs not used: Waters, Collier, Burchill
Town: Manley, Price , Laird, Porter, Villis, Pitcher, Mercica, Robertson, Young (C), Trowbridge, Pepperell
Subs:Watts, Tasker, Forward, Beadle, Bailey

Star Man: Ben Lacey

Referee: Paul Brown
Assts: Alan Jenkins / Jack Daniells

Attendance: 279

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