PAULTON ROVERS 3 BRIDGWATER TOWN 1

Rovers put the disappointment of last week’s play-off defeat behind them as they deservedly won their first Somerset Premier Cup Final against league rivals, Bridgwater Town.

They were the better side in the opening exchanges as firstly Nick McCootie sent a shot just wide of the post , Craig Loxton forced Town keeper, Luke Purnell, into the first of what would prove to many saves of the evening, before McCootie blazed over the bar after James Billing had headed down a Stuart Tovey cross. Town’s first threat came in the 8th minute with a break down the right but Ross McNab’s cross was well cut out at the near post by Tovey and Billing got in an excellent header to clear the subsequent corner. Rovers had the ball in the net on 13 minutes as Purnell punched Stuart Pearson’s long throw to McCootie who volleyed home but the referee correctly blew for a foul on the keeper. Rovers were almost gifted the lead on 17 minutes as a poor pass from Tyne Govier saw McCootie race away down the left but as he cut inside looking for the shot Purnell was out to dive at his feet and block the effort. Pearson took a long throw from the left, which dropped kindly to Brandon Barnes who sent his left footed shot over the bar. Town were then almost gifted a goal as a back pass to Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, saw his clearance blocked by McNab but the ball bounced out for a throw in. Barnes went close on 22 minutes when Tovey picked him out with a pass down the right but having cut inside he sent his shot just wide of the post.

Town were now much more threatening as Graham Mercieca sent in a number of long, low throw ins and on 26 minutes having taken one these, which was headed out by a defender, he got the ball back on the left wing and sent over a fine cross, which Mcnab at full stretch jut failed to get his head on. At the other end Rovers put a good move together from a throw in on the left wing and McCootie and Billing combined to set up the latter for a shot that was blocked and Billing sent his second effort just over the bar.

It was to be Town who broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with a move down the left that saw McNab set up Steve Fitzpatrick for a cross, which defected off Pearson for a corner on the right. Zane Simpson’s kick to the far post eventually found Tim Legg who somehow managed to force the ball home at the second attempt from the narrowest of angles.

Town could have doubled their advantage just 3 minutes later as Purnell’s free kick bounced over the Rovers’ defence leaving McNab clear but he sent his volley straight at Phillips. Rovers were then awarded a free kick for a foul on Craig Loxton just outside the Town box in a central position and Barnes’ free kick dipped over the defensive wall but was well saved by Purnell.

In the final minute of the half Rovers equalised as a Pearson long throw from the right skimmed off the head of Town skipper, Bradley Middleton and Purnell reacted superbly to tip the ball over the bar. Barnes took the corner from the left and it dropped to Rovers’ captain, Dan Cleverley, who saw his shot blocked, but the rebound fell kindly to Marcus Mapstone who forced the ball home.

The first action of the second half saw Town break down the left and Fitzpatrick go clear but his shot from a narrow angle was well saved by Phillips.

The first two goals of the game can best be described as scrappy but the third on 50 minutes was of real quality as Steve Bridges went away down the Rovers’ left before passing inside to McCootie. There appeared to little danger as he had his back to goal and surrounded by Town defenders but he twisted and turned before sending in a well struck shot that found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area,,beating Purnell low to his right.

Rovers were then indebted to Cleverley as he was on hand to head a Middleton shot off the line from a Simpson corner. However on 54 minutes Rovers spurned a great opportunity to seal the win as a free kick into the Town area fell to Barnes who went past two defenders and seemed certain to score before he was upended by Simpson who was perhaps a little fortunate to escape with only a yellow card. Barnes got up to take the penalty and struck it well but Purnell made a superb save low to his right. Both sides continued to have chances as McNab fired over the bar for Town and McCootie latched onto a through ball just before Purnell got there but sent his flick wide of the far post. Purnell then produced another excellent low save this time to thwart Mapstone and then raced from his line to dive bravely at the feet of Billing who found himself clear as Town pushed forward in search of the equaliser.

Rovers gave themselves some breathing space with 7 minutes of the game remaining as they were awarded a free kick on the left, which Barnes took and Scott Brice at the near post sent an excellent flicked header across goal and into the far corner of the net.

There was still time for Purnell to make another good save as he once again dived bravely at the feet of McCootie who had raced clear down the right. Then in the final minute of normal time a long range effort from Town substitute, Jabob Bennett, dipped and clipped the top of the bar with Phillips beaten.

The final whistle arrived and Rovers were able to celebrate the end of what has proved to be an excellent first season in charge for manager, Nick Bunyard, ably assisted by Paul Milsom.

Star Man: Luke Purnell (Town) Rovers' Man of the Match: Nick McCootie

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Marcus Mapstone, Stuart Pearson (James Vincent 89 mins), Scott Brice, Brandon Barnes, Craig Loxton (Josh Jeffries 76 mins), Steve Bridges (Ben Osman 65 mins), James Billing, Dan Cleverley (C), Nick McCootie
Subs not used: Lee Davidson, Joe Bushin,

Town: Luke Purnell, Tyne Govier, Zayne Simpson (Jacob Bennett 83 mins), Phil Veal, Bradley Middleton (C), Graham Mercieca, Mike Duffy (Craig Veal 73 mins), Tim Legg, Ross McNab, Dave Pearse, Steve Fitzpatrick.
Subs not used: Lewis Hembrey, Kyran Devitt, Andy Venning.

Referee: Paul Rees

Assts: Phillip Milton / Andrew Gibbons

4th Official: Mark Russell

Attendance: 290