PAULTON ROVERS 3 CLEVEDON TOWN 2

Rovers just edged an enthralling cup tie to book a place in the second round against Wells City (at home on Tuesday 6th November 7.30 pm KO).

Having threatened to open the scoring in the first minute, as Reeko Best’s curling right foot shot from the left hand corner of the box went just wide, the visitors found themselves behind after 6 minutes. Lee Collier, playing his first competitive match for Rovers this season after recovering from an eye injury, sent over a cross from the left, which was superbly volleyed home by James Billing.

The game was very open as at one end Ben Osman’s dangerous cross from the right was superbly cut out at the near post by ex Rovers’ defender Jordan Walker and Billing set up McCootie whose shot was blocked by Steve Kingdon while at the other end Best was put clear by Dave Stone only to see his effort blocked by Scott Brice and Ben Murray was off target with a header from an Alex Russell corner from the right.

The visitors were level on 27 minutes as a long ball forward, which Brice failed to cut out, found Stone who fired in a curling effort from the edge of the box against his former club.

Just 2 minutes later and the visitors took the lead as Cameron Ricketts crossed from the right and the defensive header clear fell to Clevedon skipper, Russell, on the edge of the area and his right foot volley found the bottom corner of the net.

Rovers responded immediately as a good passing move saw Billing through but keeper, Lee Matthews, made a fine save low to his left. Stone continued to cause Rovers problems on his return to Winterfield Road, as having fired over 2 minutes earlier, he went close to extending his side’s lead in the 33rd minute with a fine shot that thumped against the far post and away to safety.

The home side levelled in the 37th minute as Charlie Rich, making his first appearance since rejoining the club from Mangotsfield United, combined with Craig Loxton before Rich played a ball to McCootie whose 25 yard effort bounced just in front of Matthews and into the net.

The first half continued to switch from end to end as Ricketts twice had efforts blocked by Brice while Rovers had a penalty appeal turned down when Ben Lacey went down in the area. Stone did have the ball in the net right on the interval after superbly taking a cross from Ricketts but was correctly adjudged offside.

The home side made a good start to the second period as Walker did well to block an effort from Billing and his central defensive partner, Kingdon, had to make a desperate challenge on McCootie who latched onto a loose Walker pass across his own area. From the resultant corner, well taken on the right by Rich, Brice’s glancing header went just wide of the post.

What proved to be the winning goal came in the 64th minute as Steve Bridges in his first appearance for Rovers since breaking his leg towards the end of last season back heeled the ball to Rich who went down the left touchline and sent over a great left footed cross which found Billing at the far post who volleyed home with his right foot at full stretch.

Rovers then made a number of changes and sat back allowing the visitors to exert some pressure, with Walker now pushed forward, but apart from a Russell shot that was easily saved and a Stone cross which was well cut out by Osman, the hosts held out easily to progress to the next round.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Ben Osman, Charlie Rich, Stuart Pearson, Scott Brice (C), Lee Collier (Josh Jeffries 64 mins), Craig Loxton, Ben Lacey, James Billing, Nick McCootie (James Vincent 75 mins), Steve Bridges (Lee Davidson 72 mins).
Sub not used: Dan Cleverley

Referee: Adam Penwell

Assts: Savvas Yianni / Alex Tremlett

Attendance: 71