DIDCOT TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Rovers kept their first clean sheet of the season to earn a deserved replay after a game that was much more entertaining than the blank score line would suggest.

Rovers went into the game with only two fit substitutes in Dave Stone and manager, Nick Bunyard as Ben Lacey and Stuart Tovey both failed to recover from knocks picked up in the last league game at Poole and with Steve Bridges still some way off from resuming after his broken leg last season. However they began the game well and the Didcot keeper had to race from his line to clear after Ben Osamn’s through ball almost found Kris Miller in the 7th minute. Two minutes later and an excellent passing move down the right saw James Vincent and Ryan Gay set up a chance for Miller but his shot was off target.

Rovers did find the net on 14 minutes as another good move down the right created the opportunity for Gay to slot home but he was adjudged offside. For the second game running Rovers felt they were denied a penalty as this time Miller, twisting and turning, went down in the box under a challenge but the referee waived play on and the ball broke to Craig Loxton but his shot from 20 yards went wide of the post.

The home side’s best effort of the half came on 31 minutes when skipper, Jamie Heapey, swung over a cross from the right which saw Elliot Osborne-Ricketts’ header well saved by Kyle Phillips. The first half meandered to a close but two minutes from the break Rovers suffered a further blow as Gay hobbled off to be replaced by Stone.

After both sides had created a half chance after the resumption Rovers should have gone ahead in the 49th minute as Stone’s flicked header on released Miller down the left and his cross found Loxton unmarked at the far post but he somehow failed to hit the target. Osman sent over a free kick that fell to Vincent but he shot wide and Dan Cleverley sent a great through ball for Miller to race away down the left but his effort from a narrow angle suffered the all too familiar fete of failing to test the keeper. They almost paid the penalty for the missed chances on the hour mark when Didcot created a great opportunity for Bryan Bowles and although his shot beat Phillips, Osman was able to block the shot before it crossed the line. Town were now in the ascendancy and after successive corners James Clark sent a header over the bar and then minutes later after Osman got caught in possession Clark saw his shot somehow cleared off the line by the outstretched leg of Scott Brice.
Rovers should have grabbed a goal on 70 minutes as they caught their hosts on the break with the referee overruling his flagging assistant and allowing Miller to race clear and although his shot was initially blocked, the rebound fell to Stone who shot well wide. Rovers had a let off 8 minutes from time as a through ball saw Morgan Williams race away only to be brought down 20 yards out by Phillips which earned him a yellow card. Clark’s subsequent free kick beat the wall but Phillips made a great reaction save and following up Heapey saw his shot thump against the bar and away to safety.

With Didcot pressing for the winner Rovers’ assistant manager, Paul Thorpe, was sent from the dug-out for comments made about the refereeing decisions. In a frenetic finish Clark set up Osborne-Ricketts but again his shot hit the bar and it looked certain a Didcot player must net the rebound but Osman somehow managed to deflect the ball clear. Then in the final minute a Town corner from the right saw Lee Henderson head over the bar.

Both sides created enough chances to have won several games but with none taken the action moves to Winterfield Road to decide which of these teams will meet Cinderford Town at home in the First Qualifying Round.

Photo's from the match can be accessed here.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Ben Osman, Lee Davidson, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Josh Jeffries, Craig Loxton, James Vincent, Ryan Gay (Dave Stone 42 mins, Dan Cleverley (C), Kris Miller.
Subs not used: Ben Lacey,Stuart Tovey, Nick Bunyard, Steve Bridges

Referee: Adrian Gillett

Assts: George Key / Andrew Stevens

Attendance: 115