TIVERTON TOWN 1 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

Rovers produced another fine display to overcome the loss of four first team regulars and a very heavy pitch, after further overnight rain, to claim a vital point that keeps them in the play off positions.

The visitors got off to a great start as Tom Gardner could only head Jack Allward’s throw in from the left into the path of Ben Lacey (whose pace caused the home defence problems all afternoon) and he went past his marker before squaring the ball to James Billing on the edge of the box who fired home past the static Town keeper, Chris Wright, who had no chance.

Rovers almost doubled their lead on 14 minutes with another fine move down the left as Allward found Craig Loxton but this time Wright showed good reactions to pull off the save. Adam Mahdi then had a free kick from the right which went over the wall and hit defender, Josh Concanon and deflect just wide of the near post. Rovers were in full control at this stage as Ben Osman sent a long range effort wide, another Mahdi free kick just cleared the bar and defender David Steele (Tiverton’s man of the match) got in a great block to deny Billing a second. Andy Taylor had a free kick for the hosts on 31 minutes but the Rovers wall did its job allowing them to break at pace as Lacey again went on a great run only to be brought down by Josh Searle. Loxton’s free kick was met by Ollie Price but his header went straight to Wright.

Having dominated proceedings Tiverton began to claw their way back into the game as Jules Emati Emati did well to set up Joe Bushin but his shot failed to test visiting keeper, Kyle Phillips, who to this point had been a mere spectator. However Rovers suffered a further set back with 4 minutes of the half remaining as Mahdi was forced to leave the field with a back injury to be replaced by Raiff Gwinnett making his first appearance in a Rovers’ shirt since mid September.

The second half suggested that words had been said in the Tiverton dressing room at half time as the hosts were much better and came close to equalising as Andy Taylor’s free kick struck the far post with Phillips beaten. Despite their greater possession and pressure Rovers still looked dangerous on the break as a Loxton cross was scrambled clear and defender, Alex Faux, made a great sliding block to deny Gwinnett. However Steele, Bushin and Gardner all had chances but sent their headers straight at Phillips before on 72 minutes the hosts’ pressure was finally rewarded with a penalty.

An innocuous looking ball into the Rovers’ box saw Price penalised for pushing down on Steele despite Rovers’ claims that Steele was holding the defender’s shirt and backing in. Phillips almost produced the save but Bushin’s kick low to the keeper’s left went in off the keeper’s glove.

There only looked to be one winner at this stage and Town almost snatched victory as a ball over the visitor’s defence found Bushin but at full stretch he failed to control it and Phillips pushed the ball clear. Then in the final minute Steele’s volley from the edge of the box went just over the bar.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Jack Allward, Ben Osman, Ollie Price, Steve Bridges, Adam Mahdi (Raiff Gwinett 41 mins), Craig Loxton, James Billing, Dan Cleverley, Ben Lacey.
Subs not used- (G/K) Jon Harvey, Ryan Gay, Lee Bryant

Rovers' Star Man: Ben Lacey

Referee: Alan Raggett
Assts: James Taylor / Andrew Quinn

Attendance: 238

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