WINCHESTER CITY 3 PAULTON ROVERS 2

Rovers began brightly without creating a clear chance and were almost caught on the break in the 3rd minute as Howard Neighbour collected a pass, turned and saw his shot clip the post.

However it was the visitors who took a 15th minute lead as Jordan Rickett’s incisive pass inside the full back sent Reeko Best clear and he calmly slotted home.

After Rovers’ on loan keeper, Kieran Hodges, made a fine save from Andrew Jenkinson’s free kick he was eventually beaten on 26 minutes as his side lost possession in midfield and a simple ball through the middle left Craig Feeney clear and he duly equalised
This spurred on the hosts and Hodges did well to deny Feeney a second, whilst at the other end his opposite number, Brendan Norris did well to stop a Jake Mawford free kick that looked bound for the top corner. Rovers looked certain to reclaim the lead on 42 minutes as Kailan Gould’s pass sent Best clear again but as he took the ball past Norris, Stuart Mott got back to clear the danger. Right on the stroke of half time Rovers were reduced to 10 men as Ricketts was shown a straight red card for a two footed challenge.

Not surprisingly the hosts began the second half strongly and City should have taken the lead on 49 minutes as Feeney set up Stuart Green who somehow failed to find the target from close range. The visitors had another let off on 55 minutes as left back, Dan King, sent over a cross that Josh Ford headed only as far as Green whose volley from the edge of the box failed to get a touch and went just wide of the far post.

Despite constant pressure a quick break from Rovers on 57 minutes saw Jake Mawford upended in the City box and he got up to fire the penalty low to Norris’ right to restore the lead.

That lasted just 4 minutes as Joe Brigg’s cross (or was it a shot?) from the left was turned home by Howard Neighbour and came as no surprise as Rovers had had a let off just before as Hodges did well to put off Feeney who somehow put his shot over the bar.
Gould had a chance for Rovers but shot high and wide whilst Hodges produced a fine save from Adam Tomasso and Feeney shot against the visitors’ bar.

Just as it looked as though they might hang on against the odds and grab a point Rovers brought about their own downfall when on 83 minutes Elliott Keitghtley tried to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal kick only to be dispossessed by Feeney who crossed to give Briggs an easy finish.

The visitors created a couple of half chances in the brief time remaining the best of which saw Ford’s header cleared off the line but Winchester were worthy winners in the end.

Rovers: Kieran Hodges, Elliott Keightley, Kailan Gould (Kane Simpson 75 mins), Joe Chandler, Josh Ford (C), Andrew Elcock, Will Hailston (Ryan Shaw 45 mins), Elliott Gibbons, Jake Mawford, Jordan Ricketts, Reeko Best (Solomon Wheatley 80 mins).
Subs Not Used: Ryan Radford, Charlie Phillips.

Star Man: Craig Feeney (Winchester City)

Attendance: 127