PAULTON ROVERS 4 THATCHAM TOWN 0

Rovers put Monday’s unlucky defeat at Taunton Town firmly behind them with an important victory over rival play off hopefuls Thatcham Town in an action packed game at Winterfield Road.

However it was the visitors who began the stronger and were unfortunate not to take a 2nd minute lead as Tom Etheridge’s superbly struck free kick from 20 yards out, in a central position, thumped against the bar with home keeper, Scott Lewis, well beaten. The next chance fell to the hosts as on 5 minutes a corner from the left from Craig Loxton went beyond the far post and Marcus Mapstone’s header back saw James Billing send an overhead kick just wide. Lewis then made a brave save at the other end as a Town throw in from the left went across the box and through a crowd of players before the keeper pushed it away for a corner and injuring himself on the far post.

Rovers made the breakthrough in the 12th minute as an excellent passing move down the left saw Loxton’s ball into the area deflect off a defender and fall kindly to Billing who beat visiting keeper, Paul Strudley, low to his right from near the penalty spot.

It got even better for the home side 3 minutes later as Rovers again pressed down the left channel and Billing released Ben Lacey who cut inside a defender and sent his shot across Studley and into the far bottom corner of the net.

Lacey had another chance on 18 minutes as Rovers, on the break, saw Billing release the young striker, this time down the right, but cutting inside he saw his shot find the side netting. Town were facing a difficult enough task coming back from 2-0 down against one of the tightest defences in the division but their cause was not helped by the dismissal of striker, Mark Hughes, on 31minutes for elbowing Rovers’ defender, Jack Allward.

Town paid the price 3 minutes later as a corner from the right fell to Billing and his shot was headed out for another corner by a defender on the post, this time from the left. Loxton took it short to Nick Dunn, collected the return pass and crossed into the box for Josh Jeffries, to head home.

Mapstone sent a header wide from a Dan Cleverley free kick and Lacey sent a shot just wide as Rovers finished the first half in total control.

The second half began quietly enough although Thatcham defender, Matt Bowler, should have done better with a header from Carl Self’s corner but could only find Lewis. The keeper was in action again shortly after making a fine save to block a shot from Jemel Johnson. The visitors were now having a good spell and again Self should have done better with a shot that went unerringly straight at Lewis and Etheridge saw his effort from wide on the left find the side netting. However any hope of staging a remarkable recovery came to an abrupt end as defender, Paul Taplin, received a straight red card for foul and abusive language.

Rovers completed the scoring in the 83rd minute as a corner from the right was met at the near post by substitute, Ben Osman and although his header was blocked it fell to Mapstone to fire home.

The win took Rovers up a place to 6th, one point outside the final play off spot currently occupied by Poole Town who ironically are the visitors to Winterfield Road next Saturday.

Rovers: Scott Lewis, Stuart Tovey, Jack Allward, Nick Dunn, Marcus Mapstone, Josh Jeffries (Ben Osman 66 mins), Steve Bridges (Adam Mahdi 66 mins), Craig Loxton, James Billing. Dan Cleverley (C), Ben Lacey.
Subs not used: Scott Brice, Nick Bunyard, Jon Harvey.

Star Man: Marcus Mapstone (as selected by Match Sponsors - King Watkins)

Referee: Stuart Jack
Assts: Jamie Macleod / Shaun Tobin

Attendance: 138