PAULTON 2 CLEVEDON TOWN 0

Rovers claimed their third successive win but were made to fight hard by a young Clevedon Town side.

The home side began well and Jamie Taylor almost scored right from the kick off but Town keeper and captain, Jason Mellor saved low to his right. Rovers pressed hard and from corner from the left the ball dropped to Scott Brice but hias shot was cleared off the line. Taylor once again looked impressive for the hosts and had a shot off target and another well saved as Rovers looked certain to take the lead. However on the break Reeko Best forced a save from home keeper, Kyle Phillips. Taylor had the ball in the net after 21 minutes following an excellent break and pass from Craig Loxton but was adjudged offside. After soaking up some sustained pressure Town almost went ahead in the 40th minute as Reeko Best’s right footed shot came back off the bar with Phillips beaten.

However two minutes from the interval and Rovers went ahead as from a throw in down the left Nick Dunn’s 30 yard volley came back off the bar and Taylor headed home the rebound.

Town started the second half well and Phillips produced two fine saves to deny Josh Klein-Davies, the first as Best sent him through down the left and the keeper blocked his effort with his legs and then from another quick break he was at full stretch to turn his shot away. Defender Chris Leeson had a header wide and Klein-Davis a header saved as the visitors threatened to equalise but Rovers weathered the storm and doubled their lead in the 69th minute.

Rovers were awarded a free kick just inside the opposition half and Ben Cleverley’s free kick half was headed down by Marcus Mapstone to Ollie Price who lashed the ball home.

Clevedon never gave up and Ashley Kington’s free kick in the 71st minute was spilled by Phillips but he recovered to save Sam Johnson’s follow up effort. Lloyd Mills had a shot easily saved by Phillips but in truth Rovers then held on comfortably to claim the points.

Rovers: Phillips, Gwinnett, Price, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, B Cleverley, Loxton (Osman 90 mins), Taylor (Bridges 80 mins), Lewis (Jeffries 54 mins)
Subs not used: Allward, Tovey

Referee: William Bull
Assts: Jonathan Rake / Ben Cobb

Attendance: 228