Depleted Rovers well beatendespite a spirited performance.

Match report from Andy Harris

A Rovers’ side without Josh Jeffries and Matt Cooper through suspension, John Lock (unavailable) and Ben Lacey (injured) put in a tremendous effort against unbeaten, champions elect, Windsor & Eton. There is no doubt the hosts were worthy of victory but the score line hardly reflects the amount of possession Rovers enjoyed or the chances they created.

The home side made the perfect start as in the 2nd minute a through ball sent Michael Chennels clear and he held off the challenge of Alex Ball to slip the ball past Rovers’ keeper Kyle Phillips and into the net.

Jake Parsons had a shot just wide, Chennels headed over and Gavin Smith headed wide as the home side made an impressive start. Rovers responded and had a creditable claim for a penalty for hand ball turned down, Chris Lane set up Rob Claridge for a shot that cleared the bar, Rob Cousins tested home keeper, Rob Bullivant with a well struck drive and a period of pressure saw a series of corners that rarely threated the Windsor goal. Then on 41 minutes Gavin Smith again sent Chennels away but this time his shot beat Phillips but came back off the post. It could have proved costly as right on half time a great Rovers’ move saw Charlie Rich free but Bullivant, made a great save low to his right.

Rovers came out after the break and took the game to their hosts and on 55 minutes Cousins free kick into the box dropped first to lane and after his effort was blocked to Ollie Price but the ball would just not go in. The home side rallied as Chennels tried unsuccessfully to lob Phillips. On 65 minutes a through ball down the Windsor left saw Chennels race clear only for Phillips to race from his area and bring the striker down. The Paulton contingent and Phillips in particular, were relieved to see the referee, Mr Lavelle, who had a good afternoon produce just a yellow card.

Windsor pressure eventually paid off as they doubled their lead on 68 minutes when a corner from the right found Matt Seedel at the far post and he headed home.

Still Rovers continued to play their football and on 74 minutes appeals for another penalty were denied as Clasridge went down under a challenge but the referee, correctly, waived play on.

Windsor’s 3rd goal came on 80 minutes following the award of a free kick against Price. Despite being some 40 yards out a blistering drive from Bruce Wilson dipped and hit the underside of the bar on its way into the net.

The home side then completed the scoring 2 minutes later as a flowing move ended with Smith setting up an easy tap in for Seedel to score his second.

Phillips then had to produce a brilliant save to once more deny Chennels as the home side finished strongly.

Few would have predicted Rovers would get anything from this game given Windsor’s record and the depleted squad but manager Andy Jones will be pleased with the efforts of his players who gave everything and none more than his assistant, Paul Milsom, who played 75 minutes as a striker.

Teams:
Windsor:  Bullivant, Woozley, Parsons, Wharton, Butler (C), Seedel, Wilson (Jack 82 mins), Parsons (Fagan 68 mins), Smith, Chennels, Chandiram.
Subs not used:  Pearce, Mooney, Richardson.
Rovers:  Phillips, Ball, Rich, Marshall, Price, Cousins, Waters (Collier 89 mins), Lane, Claridge, Cleverley (C), Milsom (Burhill 75 mins).
Subs not used:  Tovey.

Referee: P Lavelle
Assts:  M Taylor / N Williams
Attendance: 165

Rovers' Star Man: Lee Marshall

Windsor's website is at:- http://www.wefc.co.uk/