GLOUCESTER CITY 2 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

As expected the Conference North side Conference North side Gloucester City
duly progressed to the 3rd Qualifying Round and a visit to Staines Town but were once again pushed all the way by a Rovers’ side that never gave up the fight despite once again having to reshuffle their defence as a result of injuries. Tom Seary’s absence saw Ollie Knowles move from right back into central defence allowing man of the match, Jordan Walker, to fulfil that role, while Rovers gave a debut (and an impressive one at that) to left back Adam Flint in place of Ben Lacey.

The Tigers began where they left off on Saturday pushing Rovers onto the defensive and enjoying most of the possession without really carrying much of a threat. Rovers didn’t help themselves by conceding a number of needless free kicks allowing dead ball specialist and skipper, Billy Jones to put them under pressure and when they did get the opportunity to break the final ball into the box was generally poor.

As early as the 2nd minute a Jones free kick from the right was only partially cleared and the ball back into the box found veteran striker, Charlie Griffin, but Phillips made a good save although the assistant’s flag was already raised for offside.

Rovers’ first chance came on 9 minutes when City keeper, Paul White, making his home debut, received a pass back and his poor clearance landed at the feet of Jon Davies who tried a chip from 25 yards out that just cleared the bar. White was guilty of a similar error on 20 minutes but this time it was Walker who collected and went on a good run forward but his pass into the box just eluded Brandon Barnes. Just a minute later and Walker was brought down allowing Barnes to send in a free kick that found Josh Klein-Davies unmarked at the far post but in an offside position. Then on 24 minutes Rovers conceded another corner on the right, which Jones whipped in and Griffin was able to collect a poor header out only to fire into the side netting.

City got the breakthrough they deserved on 27 minutes when a ball crossed from the right picked out the impressive, Joe Parker, whose shot deflected off a defender into the path of Matt Groves and his effort from the edge of the box beat Phillips low to his right.

Rovers had two opportunities to level just before the break as first Klein-Davies fired across goal and wide from a Barnes free kick and then Mike Bryant at full stretch just failed to get on the end of a Flint cross. However in the final minute City created a neat passing move down the left that ended with Lewis Hogg curling a shot just over the bar from the corner of the box.

The second half began rather quietly although Adam Mann produced a great cross from the left on 52 minutes that Griffin at full stretch could only head just wide. At the other end Knowles sent in a free kick that skipper, Scott Brice, headed straight at White.

City doubled their lead on the hour mark when Rovers were on the attack and Walker sent in a long throw from the right, which was cleared downfield, allowing the home side to break three on one. Parker went away down the right before calmly slotting a low cross to George Miller, who had come on as a substitute just three minutes earlier and was making his home debut and he fired home.

Rovers responded firstly as another Walker long throw was headed on to Bryant on the edge of the box but he volleyed high and wide and then on 75 minutes substitute, Elliot Gibbons found Barnes on the left and his cross saw Dean Evans flash a glancing header just wide of the far post. Rovers then had claims for a penalty turned down as Davies went on a run into the box before going down under a challenge but the referee waived play on.

At the other end City and Miller had another goal ruled out for handball and then the debutant saw a 20 yard shot saved by keeper, Kyle Phillips.

Anyone leaving the game early would have missed the drama as is the final minute of normal time and immediately after the 4th official had signalled there would be 7 minutes of added time (mainly due to a head injury to City defender, Sam Avery) Rovers struck back, Walker charged through midfield before picking out Barnes wide on the left and his left footed cross was headed home by Gibbons.

This left City facing an anxious last few minutes but Rovers didn’t really create another chance to take the tie into extra time and it was City who had the best opportunity to add to the goal tally as substitute, Nathan Modest, broke quickly but with two waiting in the box his cross from the right was well cut out by Walker.

Over the two games City were worthy winners but Rovers did well to push them hard in both games and must now concentrate in improving their league position.

Gloucester City: Paul White, Sam Avery, Billy Jones (C), Marc Richards, Matt Williams, Tom Webb,
Lewis Hogg (Adam Connolly 45 mins), Joe Parker (Nathan Modest 79), Charlie Griffin, Adam Mann (George Miller 57), Matt Groves.
Subs not used: Spencer Hamilton, Chris Jones, Harvey Rivers.

Paulton Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Jordan Walker, Adam Flint, Ollie Knowles (Elliot Gibbons 65 mins), Scott Brice (C), Brandon Barnes, Mike Bryant, Ashley Williams, Josh Kein-Davies, Jon Davies, Dean Evans.
Subs not used: Stuart Tovey, Josh Jeffries. Kieran Baggs, Tyson Pollard, Callum Hinder,

Referee: Antony Coggins
Assistants: Daniel Jacecko / Phillip Staynings

Man Of the Match: Jordan Walker (Rovers).

Gloucester are away to Staines Town in the next round on 11 October.

Rovers resume league duty this Saturday travelling to Biggleswade Town.

Next Wednesday planned trip to Frome Town is off as they are involved in a rearranged Somerset Premier Cup match.

However Paulton will be at home to Redditch United on Tuesday 7 October K-O 7-30 p.m. This game had to be postponed because of Tuesday's cup replay.

Attendance 377