YATE TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 1

With both sides struggling near the foot of the table this always looked to be a tough battle and so it proved with both sides defences having the upper hand.

The tone was set after just 12 minutes when Yate full back, Matt Guy, was lucky to receive only a yellow card for a nasty tackle on James Byrne. As the half progressed both sides created half chances, usually on the break, but both lacked the final decisive pass or a decent shot on target. Rovers did get the ball in the net on 25 minutes as Jordan Rickett’s pass found Solomon Wheatley, whose shot beat ex Rovers’ keeper, John Rendall, but his effort was disallowed for offside.It was 35 minutes before either keeper was called into serious action as Andrew Hannah in the Rovers’ goal tipped over Mitch Tippens’ 25 yard free kick.

Fortunately the 2nd half produced more action and after several good moves the visitors should have been ahead on 52 minutes as substitute and debutant, Kane Simpson, set up James Byrne but his effort failed to find the target. Yate responded and went close on 61 minutes as ex Rovers’ player, Josh Morgan-Williams, sent over a cross from the left, which saw Luke Bryan’s header dip just over the bar. Rovers were then indebted to Alex Grimshaw as his great tackle denied Bryan a clear sight of goal after good work by Jack Ball. Rovers went close on 73 minutes as Kailan Gould set up Wheatley, whose cross was deflected and Rendall, back pedalling, did well to turn it over the bar. At the other end Yate sent a high ball into the Rovers’ box, which Hannah called for, but spilled and then appeared to pull down Ball but the referee correctly adjudged Ball had fouled the keeper in the initial challenge.
Rovers were reduced to 10 men on 85 minutes when substitute, Nathan Legge was shown a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent. This seemed to spur the visitors on as Ricketts had a shot go just wide after a great run, Josh Ford felt he should have had a penalty for a push at a corner and then in injury time they grabbed a winner.

Wheatley was fouled near the right corner flag by Guy who was fortunate again not to see a card and Ricketts’ free kick found Alex Grimshaw at the far post to head home and earn his side a much needed three points.

Rovers: Andrew Hannah, Elliott Keightly, Matt Long, Alex Grimshaw, Josh Ford (C), James Byrne (Ryan Shaw 55 mins), Will Hailston (Kane Simpson 45 mins), Elliott Gibbons, Solomon Wheatley, Jordan Ricketts, Kailan Gould (Nathan Legge 78 mins). Subs not used: Ian Parkes, Ed Baldy.

Referee: Scott Jackson Assistants: Kevin Moore/Kevin Slade

Man of the Match: Alex Grimshaw (Rovers)

Match Report: Andy Harris