PAULTON ROVERS 0 v 0 BIDEFORD

(Aside) Bideford keeper pulls off save from Dominic Thomas shot

After getting a point Kings Lynn Town Rovers took another against old foes Bideford.

There was plenty of excitement as Paulton went three matches unbeaten and another clean sheet. However scoring goals is now the priority.

Rovers had a chance after five minutes as right back Pierce Mitchell crossed only for Chris McGrath to head for a corner. Taken by Aaron Brown, Dave O’Hare headed wide.

Bideford’s response also from a corner taken by Billy Tucker needed home keeper Ben John to fist away. Minutes later a floated cross from the left by Ben Wood bobbled and John took the precaution to turn the ball over his crossbar. From Tucker’s corner centre back Dan Harrison headed across the goal mouth and narrowly wide.

Bideford were now on top and Rovers captain Shayne Anson was on hand to block Richard Groves free kick then his central defensive colleague Craig Allan stemmed a move by intercepting with a header back to John.

Paulton gradually took the initiative and began to dominate with Darren Mullings, O’Hare and new 18 year old striker Josh Morgan-Williams combining well for the youngster to race through with only keeper Kyle Moore to beat. His shot was parried and collected by former Truro City custodian.

Then on the half hour O’Hare could only again head wide from winger Ben Bament’s cross.

A minute later McGrath committed an over the ball tackle on Bament, but the referee did not even wave a yellow card.

19 years old Dominic Thomas on loan from Bristol Rovers was looking a dominant force in midfield for Paulton and his dipping cross was blocked by McGrath the ball falling to Mitchell who tried his luck from 25 yards to shoot wide.

With half time approaching two controversial incidents occurred. First Aaron Brown was taken out in front of the stands by Tucker and shown a yellow car and the Mullings was fouled in the middle of the park. The referee appeared not to see what happened as Rovers attacked through Morgan-Williams.

Mullings was taken to hospital with a suspected ankle fracture.

Both sides seemed to have difficulty getting going in the second half, but Rovers were grateful to John when he pulled off a fine save from Bideford’s veteran striker Kevin Squire. Then Groves drove a low shot which Aaron Brown cleared.

Morgan-Williams went on a dazzling run beating several defenders but his shot was safely held by Moore.

On the hour the youngster was brought down in the penalty area by McGrath which clearly looked a penalty, but the referee adjudged that the Bideford enforcer played the ball first.

A minute later John pulled off another great save turning a goal bound shot by Wood around the post for a corner that Anson cleared.

With action swinging ended to end O’Hare and his volley was turned over the cross bar by Moore and O’Hare then headed over from Aaron Brown’s in swinging corner.

In the 69 minute Allan clocked a pile driver of a shot from Matt Andrew and Rovers responded with a firm drive from Cameron Brown on as sub for Bament was well held by Moore. Then Moore brilliantly turned a shot from Morgan-Williams around the post.

Anson was again on hand to cut out a shot from Biddy sub Jordan Charron and John again made a great save as Andrew collected a loose ball and fired a shot in.

With five minutes on the clock Morgan-Davies was fouled 20 yards out and Aaron Brown’s free kick when agonisingly cross the six yard box evading three Paulton players and could even have crept in direct from the kick at the far post.

Two minutes later Ross Staley who had come on for the injured Mullings sent O’Hare racing through but his shot lacked power and Moore was able to save with his feet.

A point apiece was a far result on the balance of play and chances, but several crucial decisions could have impacted on the outcome as Rovers strive for a first win.

On a positive note manager Richard Fey is moulding his own squad with four teenagers and with three experienced injured players in Jordan Walker, Tom Knighton and Kyle Tooze hopefully available in the next few weeks points and goals will follow.

Man of the Match - Craig Allan (Paulton Rovers)