BANBURY UNITED 3 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers were well beaten despite their hosts having been reduced to 10 men after 42 minutes of an action packed first half.

The visitors began well enough and were unfortunate not to take a 5th minute lead as Craig Loxton’s free kick from wide on the left saw skipper, Dan Cleverley, head against the post.

However United went ahead after just 7 minutes as a Rovers’ defence that had looked so secure this season left Aaron Woodley with far too much space as he controlled a long ball forward before calmly placing the ball past keeper, Kyle Phillips and into the net.

The second came 3 minutes later from another defensive mistake as Stuart Tovey was unable to cut out a cross field pass and Glenn Walker raced away down the left and Phillips was unable to hold his shot giving Will Green an easy tap in.

The home side were completely on top and after Ryan Howell and Josh Cole both went close with shots United extended their lead with a goal of real quality on 39 minutes. The ball was played out to Simeon Williams wide on the right and with Rovers failing to close him down he raced inside and sent in a curling left foot shot that went in at the far post with Phillips well beaten.

However Rovers were back in the game just 3 minutes later as Adam Mahdi’s right wing corner was headed down by Scott Brice and spilled by home keeper Andy Kemp. The ball looped up and Ollie Price’s header was blocked on the line and Josh Jeffries’ right foot volley hit defender, Ollie Stanbridge on the hand. The referee awarded the penalty, gave Stanbridge a red card and Craig Loxton made no mistake with the spot kick.

Rovers made a double substitution at the start of the second period but despite their numerical advantage they rarely threatened the United goal and it was the home side who still created the best chances. On 48 minutes Kemp’s clearance down field was headed on by Green and Woodley’s volley just cleared the bar. In the 74th minute Cole received a throw in from the right, made a delightful turn and cross but Tovey got to the ball at the near post just before Green. Phillips then produced a fine save to deny Green as he was presented with a shooting opportunity courtesy of a neat through ball from Nick Kingston.

Rovers did have a claim for another penalty turned down 10 minutes from time as substitute, James Billing, went down in the box but play continued and Rovers duly excited the FA Trophy in disappointing style.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Price (Bridges 45 mins), Mapstone, Brice, Mahdi, Loxton, Taylor (Billing 45 mins), Cleverley (C), Jeffries (Nix 89 mins).
Sub not used: Drewitt

Referee: Geoffrey Russell
Assts: Stuart Wade / Richard Moss

Attendance: 207