PAULTON ROVERS 2 STOURPORT SWIFTS 0

Rovers’ seventh successive clean sheet and a goal in each half saw off a spirited and much improved Stourport Swifts side at a sun soaked Winterfield Road.

After a fairly even opening the first effort on goal came in the 8th minute as Craig Loxton’s effort for the hosts was easily saved. Two minutes later Loxton’s free kick fell to Marcus Mapstone but his volley was cleared off the line. The visitors were indebted to keeper, Dan Platt, who pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the score line respectable, with the first coming on 15 minutes when Stuart Tovey swept over a cross from the right which was touched on by Jamie Taylor and Platt somehow clawed the ball away. Just 3 minutes later and Platt did well again to tip over a Scott Brice header from a corner and on 25 minutes he got down low to save another shot from Jack Allward. Platt was beaten again on 31 minutes as Ben Lacey’s cross was headed on by skipper, Dan Cleverley, but again a defender cleared off the line. The visitors’ only real threat came on 34 minutes as a simple ball forward released Mike Taylor but home keeper, Kyle Phillips, reacted quickly to leave his line and get in the block.

Rovers eventually broke the deadlock 5 minutes from the break with a fine move down the left which saw Allward’s ball into the area find Cleverley who set up the chance for Lacey to swivel in the box and fire home from 12 yards. Lacey went close to adding a second 2 minutes later but after a fine run his shot just cleared the bar.

The game was effectively over 10 minutes after the interval as Lacey’s fine run down the left saw him cut inside and his cross set up an easy tap in for Jamie Taylor.

Rovers felt they should have had a penalty when Lacey went down in the box after another good run. The Rovers’ defence was rarely troubled and comfortably held on for the win although on 81 minutes they were indebted to Mapstone for a fine challenge when Mike Taylor looked to set himself up for a shot.

In injury time Rovers’ substitute, Josh Jeffries, sent in a fine effort that once again saw Platt pull off another fine save. The win takes Rovers into second place in the table and stretches their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, Mahdi (Bridges 76 mins). Loxton (Jeffries 87 mins), Taylor (Stone 60 mins, Cleverley (C), Lacey
Sub not used: Billing

Referee: Richard Corp
Assts: Stephen Fearnley / John Hooper

Attendance: 145