PAULTON ROVERS 2 SHOLING 0

Rovers deservedly claimed only their second league win of the season and their success was built on achieving their first clean sheet in this competition.

After Ben Lacey has given the visitors a 3rd minute scare cutting in from the right and sending a shot just wide of the near post, it was Sholing, a minute later, who had the best chance of a tight first half as a great ball from Lee Wort, over the head of Steve Bridges, allowed Marvin McClean to race clear but home keeper, Kyle Phillips, made a great save with an outstretched left leg. Both sides created openings but for a variety of reasons neither really threatened until the 17th minute when a long range effort from Sholing’s, Tyronne Bowers, bounced awkwardly in front of Phillips, but the keeper did well to take the ball cleanly. It was the visitors who spurned the only other chance worthy of note in the 27th minute when Liam Robinson worked himself some space to cross from wide on the left but Lewis Fennemore sent his near post header straight at Phillips. The stalemate continued but just before the break Rovers’ skipper, Dan Cleverley, was upended 30 yards out and Kris Miller’s curling free kick went just wide.

Fortunately the second half provided much more entertainment and not just from the collection of rainbows that following a series of heavy showers! Phillips was in action again almost immediately to deny Wort after McClean and Fennemore did well to create the shooting opportunity, while at the other end Rovers’ supporters thought they had taken a 53rd minute led after Lacey did well to set up Miller, but his shot had found only the side netting. The visitors then enjoyed a good spell as first Wort went clear, but a heavy touch enabled Phillips to dive bravely at his feet to save. Fennemore had a long range effort easily saved and Bowers sent a volley over the Rovers’ bar.

However it was the home side who took a 66th minute lead as Stuart Tovey made a great sliding tackle and the ball broke to Ben Osman, just on as a substitute, and he played the ball along the right touchline to Craig Loxton before collecting the return and firing across the keeper and into the far bottom corner of the net.

It took Rovers just 2 minutes to add a vital second as they won a corner on the right, which saw Charlie Rich’s in-swinging kick superbly headed home by Stuart Pearson making his league debut for the club.

Sholing substitute, Cassius Newton, saw a back post header go just wide from a superb whipped in cross from full back, Kevin Brewster while Phillips produced another good save from Wort. At the other end a fee kick was knocked down by Marcus Mapstone, to Pearson who set up the shot for Loxton, which visiting keeper, Matt Brown, did well to tip over the bar. Phillips then picked up a nasty facial injury diving at the feet of visiting skipper, Byron Mason, which earned him a yellow card.

The home side held out comfortably to claim a much needed victory and three points that moved them up to 14th in the table.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Steve Bridges, Marcus Mapstone, Stuart Pearce, Charlie Rich, Craig Loxton, Ben Lacey, James Billing, Dan Cleverley (C), Kris Miller (Ben Osman 57 mins).
Subs not used: Scott Brice, Jack Allward, Lee Collier.

Rovers' Star Man: Marcus Mapstone.

Referee: Ian Roberts

Assts: Chris Stevens / Aaron Reed

Attendance: 130

Picture courtesy of Steve Varley