POOLE TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers returned to winning ways with another resolute team performance once again built on a solid defensive platform.

The visitors began well, dominating the early exchanges that saw a James Billing header easily saved, the home keeper race from his line to just beat Steve Bridges to a through ball and a header from Marcus Mapstone also claimed by Nick Hutchings in the Poole goal. However the home side should have gone ahead in the 16th minute as Michael Hubbard’s excellent free kick from wide on the left fell to central defender and skipper, Michael Walker, but he somehow failed to hit the target. Just 2 minutes later and a quickly taken throw in on the left saw Dan Cann race clear but his lob over Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips went wide of the near post. Rovers responded well and Ben Lacey, who caused the Poole defence problems all evening with his pace, went on a great run down the right and cut the ball back for Billing, whose shot was well saved by Hutchings. Rovers had another escape on 26 minutes and again Walker was guilty of failing to test Phillips, sending his shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Rovers grabbed, what proved to be the decisive goal, on 29 minutes as Lacey went on another great run down the right and this time found Ben Osman, whose miss hit shot fell kindly to Steve Bridges who tucked away his shot neatly to bag his first goal of the season.

Poole’s best chances of the evening all came from Hubbard’s set pieces and on 38 minutes his free kick saw Walker just fail to get a touch at the far post which would surely have produced an equaliser. Rovers came desperately close to giving themselves some breathing space on 40 minutes as Lacey again produced a run and cross to set up Osman but his shot went just wide of the post and right on half time the same player shot straight at Hutchings after good work by Bridges.

The second period saw Rovers under considerable pressure but always looking dangerous on the break. Carl Preston had two chances to level for Poole but on both occasions sent his volley off target, the second coming after a long throw from the right which also presented a decent chance for Kevin Gill but he too put his volley over the bar.

Rovers on the break always looked dangerous, Jack Allward’s shot was blocked, Lacey sent his effort across the keeper and wide of the far post and Craig Loxton also sent a shot narrowly wide. Having enjoyed a quiet evening, courtesy of the excellent defensive cover in front of him, Phillips produced a great save in injury time to claim Walker’s overhead quick from a cross from the left.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Osman, Mapstone, Brice, Bridges (Jeffries 50 mins), Loxton, Billing (Dunn 67 mins), Cleverley (C) (Taylor 82 mins), Lacey.
Sub not used: Price

Star Man: Stuart Tovey (Rovers)
Referee: Mark Derrien
Assts: Anthony Welsh / Stacey Woodley

Attendance: 256

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