HISTON 2 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

For the hardy band of Paulton Rovers supporters that made the long trip to Cambridge to see their side at Histon, they came back frustrated that for much of the game they were the better side, dominated most of the first half, but ultimately came away empty handed.

After some early home pressure Brandon Barnes won a corner after good work down the left by Darren Jefferies, although the corner was cleared Jefferies was on hand, sending a defence splitting ball for striker Scott Wilson to race on to. With the goal seemingly at his mercy his shot was deflected by the foot of Millwall loanee keeper Denzel Gerrar for a corner.

Wilson tried to make amends after 11 minutes his neat footwork gave him the opportunity to lay the ball back to Ashley Williams whose shot was cleared for a corner. Taken by Jon Davies centre back and Paulton captain Scott Brice headed against the post and cleared by his counterpart Eugene Libertucci.

However the pressure paid off when Rovers took the lead on 16 minutes. Jefferies was the instigator of a move down the left found Davies who cut in on his right foot. His cross was met by Barnes to make it 1-0 with a looping header that beat Gerrar and into the net. This was his first headed goal in over 50 he has hit for the club.

Paulton then had a goal disallowed when Barnes’s in swinging corner went straight into the net with the referee disallowing it for an alleged foul on the keeper. It was all Rovers with Wilson and Ashley Williams sending shot narrowly over.

After 32 minutes the visitors were to rue their missed chances. Right back jack North on loan from Cambridge United sent over a deep cross firmly headed passed Kyle Phillips by striker James Akinkintuke to level for ‘The Stute’s’

Histon now applied pressure with Tye Phillips another loanee this time from Peterborough United sending a drive wide, then Curtis Fulcher shot was blocked by Ben Lacey. On 43 minutes the Rovers keeper saved brilliantly from his opposing namesake.

The impressive Libertucci drove his troops on in the second period. He drove a shot over the bar then had a free kick held by Kyle Phillips. Tye Phillips hit the ball over the bar and left winger Nick Freeman cut inside but saw his shot sail wide.

In between Jefferies fed Davies who only managed to hit the side netting. Right back Shayne Anson was on hand to break up a Histon move with a back header to his keeper.

After seventy four minutes Phillips once again saved from his namesake and the ball was cleared only as far as centre back Danny Rumens who vicious volley was well parried by Phillips, but Freeman was first to react and turn the ball in to the net to make it 2-1.

Rovers piled on the pressure, Clayton Green caused Gerrar to spill the ball which he manage to recover and he again tested the big keeper with 5 minutes left .

Histon kept out the onslaught to send Paulton manager Nick Bunyard home once again disappointed that a positive away performance did not received the deserved reward.

Man of the match - Kyle Phillips (Paulton Rovers)