STOURPORT SWIFTS 0 PAULTON ROVERS 2

Rovers first clean sheet of the season saw them deservedly earn their first away win of the season. The strong, gusty wind blowing straight down the pitch and a hard bouncy surface was not conducive to good football and the first half in particular was very scrappy, but with the wind in their faces Rovers’ new look defence held firm and set up the platform for the victory.

The first shot on goal came in the 8th minute, Kyle Phillips saving easily from Swift’s, Mark Benbow and then Jamie Taylor, who lead the line excellently again for Rovers, controlled a long ball forward from Ollie Price and set up Ben Cleverley but his shot was off target. Taylor had a volley blocked after Price had won the header from a Ben Cleverley cross and Price then headed over from a corner as Rovers looked dangerous on the break.

Swifts had plenty of possession but apart from two easy saves Phillips had to make from Aaron Lloyd and Dan Scheppel, Rovers had looked comfortable until the 41st minute when Lee Mussell’s cross from the right looked to have presented a gift of a header for Lloyd but Scott Brice produced a superb headed clearance.

Swifts began the second period well and Phillips did well to save from Chris Knight who had worked some space down the left but on 51 minutes it was Rovers who broke the deadlock.

The assistant flagged for an offence just outside the Swifts’ box on Rovers’ right, either for a push on Dan Cleverley, or the keeper handling the ball outside of his area. In any event Ben Cleverley’s left footed curling free kick just eluded the head of Marcus Mapstone, who did enough to confuse the defence and the ball went in at the far post.

Rovers almost doubled their lead two minutes later as another Ben Cleverley’s free kick, this time from the left, just failed to find the head of brother, Dan. Rovers looked threatening at this stage and home keeper Haydn Whitcombe produced a fine save to deny Taylor. Swifts had a chance on 67 minutes and Benbow looked certain to score before a great block from Nick Dunn. Swifts had a penalty claim turned down when John Griffin went to ground in the 70th minute but the referee waived play on.

Two minutes later Rovers had doubled their lead as Ben Cleverley’s in swinging corner from the right was soundly headed home by Taylor.

Substitute, Josh Jeffries, had a volley just clear the bar and Taylor crossed for Dan Cleverley to head home only for the goal to be ruled out for offside as the visitors held on comfortably to take the points.

Rovers: Phillips, Gwinnett, Price, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, B Cleverley, Loxton, Taylor (Bridges 85 mins), D Cleverley (C), Lacey (Jeffries 72 mins)
Subs not used: Osman, Lewis, Tovey.

Referee: Danny Gratton
Assts: Andrew Legg / Jonathan Walker

Attendance: 92