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| WINDSOR & ETON 1 PAULTON ROVERS 1 |
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| Written by Tony Walsh | |
| Wednesday, 03 September 2008 | |
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Rovers come from behind to claim a hard fought point
Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to the season but once again it was a disappointing and at times disjointed performance. The first half can only be described as dire! The visitors probably went into the break in the happier frame of mind having not conceded in the face of a strong wind that contrived to make passing difficult. In fact Rovers made a bright start and should have taken the lead on 10 minutes as an all too rare passing move saw Chris Lane beat his marker down the left and his cross found Josh Jefferies in the box but he screwed his shot wide. Terry O’Conner saw his 17th minute effort suffer a similar fate after Windsor’s best move of the half. A bad challenge on Rob Claridge just before the interval saw the home skipper, Steve Butler, booked and Ben Cleverley’s free kick cleared the bar. It has to be said the half time whistle was something of a relief but for Rovers it was short lived. Just as they had in their last league game at home to Taunton Rovers were caught out at the restart as Andrew Fagan and the lively Ben Porter combined down the right and although Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, did well to push Porter’s cross away Joe Chandiram reacted quickly to turn and slot the ball home. Rovers reacted well and exerted considerable pressure without looking too threatening although Rob Cousins’ long range effort on 52 minutes landed on the roof of the net and a defender’s header from a Ben Cleverley free kick 2 minutes later flicked wide of the far post. The introduction of Ricky Hulbert and Dean Pendry saw the visitors begin to look more creative. Danny Boys saw his 73rd minute free kick spilled by debutant keeper, Rob Bullivant and a minute later Lane blasted high and wide when set up by a quickly taken Ben Cleverley free kick. Eventually Rovers got their reward with an equaliser on 75 minutes as Hulbert and Lane linked up well down the left and Lane’s cross found Claridge unmarked at the far post to force the ball home.  Within 5 minutes the visitors looked to have given it away as a clearance from defence was headed back and Porter’s pace took him clear. His cross from the right was touched home by another debutant, (although now in his second spell with Windsor) Adam Wallace but fortunately for Rovers he was adjudged offside. Manager Andy Jones will have a few selection headaches ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Larkhall Athletic. Jon French will hopefully have recovered from a calf strain and Mike Trought is almost ready to make his competitive debut in a Rovers’ shirt but overall his team need to improve on this performance if their season is to live up to pre season expectations. Team: Phillips, Tovey (Pendry 72 mins), Boys, Price, Hughes, Cousins (Hulbert 67 mins), B Cleverley, Jefferies (Sheppard 56 mins), Claridge, D Cleverley (C), Lane Referee: R James Assts: B Murdoch / G Poynter Attendance: 117 Star man: Ben Porter (Windsor) |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 29 December 2008 ) |
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