PAULTON ROVERS 2 TIVERTON TOWN 1

Rovers deservedly claimed their first league win of the season and but for some excellent saves from visiting keeper, Ryan Draper, could easily have avoided an anxious finale.

The home side began very brightly and should have been ahead as early as the 3rd minute when Ben Cleverley’s long ball down the right sent Ben Lacey away and although the Tiverton defender got in an excellent block tackle Lacey regained his feet quickly and looked to get a shot away when he was brought down and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Unfortunately for the hosts their skipper, Dan Cleverley, blazed the spot kick high over the bar. Rovers continued to dominate and it was 16 minutes before the visitors posed any threat, this from a free kick that Rovers’ central defender, Marcus Mapstone, did well to clear with a diving header.

Rovers got their reward for an industrious first half display with a goal in the 20th minute when the lively, Jamie Taylor, was upended on the left edge of the Tiverton box and Craig Loxton’s right footed free kick cleared the wall and flashed across Draper and into the far corner of the net.

Town responded and Rovers’ Nick Dunn did extremely well to get in a diving block to deny Harry Nodwell and Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, did well to save from Tom Nardiello. However Rovers held firm and finished the half strongly as Lacey’s cross from the right just eluded Dan Cleverley, Mapstone’s effort was cleared off the line and right at the death Loxton’s free kick from the left came through a crowd of players and Draper somehow managed to stick out a leg and prevent the ball crossing the line.

The second half got off to an even start and the first chance fell to Joe Bushin in the 56th minute but his shot from the right went across Phillips and wide of the far post but Town were then indebted to Draper who pulled off two fine saves in quick succession. Firstly he somehow managed to claw away a Mapstone header from a corner and then in arguably the best move of the game Taylor headed on Ben Cleverley’s cross and Loxton volleyed at the far post only to see Draper’s hand push the ball away.

The home side doubled their advantagein the 68th minute as Phillips took a free kick deep in his own half, Dan Cleverley headed the ball on and Jamie Taylor raced cleared and for the second successive home game neatly tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors finally got back into the game in the 86th minute as Rovers’ disputed the award of a free kick just inside their own half Town took it quickly down the right channel and Bushin’s well struck right footed low shot beat Philips at his near post.

It led to a few anxious moments for the home crowd but Rovers deservedly held on to claim all three points for the first time this season.

Rovers: Phillips, Gwinnett, Allward, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, B Cleverley (Bridges 83 mins), Loxton, Taylor (Jeffries 68 mins), D Cleverley (C), Lacey
Subs not used: Osman, Price, Lewis.

Referee: Mark Derrien
Assts: Tony Kemsley / Peter Mawhood

Attendance: 189