DIDCOT TOWN 3 PAULTON ROVERS 4

Rovers 8th successive match without defeat sees them move up 4 places in the table to 6th following a 7 goal thriller at Didcot.

Rovers were ahead in the second minute as the Didcot keeper, Marcos Belloli-Pereira, dithered far too long over a back pass and when he did eventually strike the ball it ricocheted off James Billing and into the empty net.

However the lead lasted barely 3 minutes as the home side broke down the right and Ryan Tappin played a ball inside to Elliot Osbourne-Ricketts who unleashed an unstoppable 30 yard shot that flew into the top corner of the net.

This spurred on the hosts and skipper, Gareth Thomas, sent a shot into the side netting after Rovers failed to deal with a poor corner from the left before Morgan Williams blazed over having got on the end of a cross from the right by Tappin. The visitors almost gifted Didcot the lead in the 14th when Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, produced a poor clearance that went straight to Pablo Haysham but Phillips redeemed himself with a fine save. The game then went into something of a stalemate as both sides struggled with the appalling conditions as heavy rain driven by a strong swirling wind made control difficult. However in the 38th minute Rovers almost broke the deadlock as Ben Lacey produced a run and cross from the right, which saw Nick McCootie and a defender challenge at the near post and the ball looped up to Billing, whose header looked goal bound until Belloli-Pereira somehow managed to tip the ball over the bar.

In fact it was the home side who would take an interval lead as in the 38th minute a throw in from the right led to a ball into the box that was only partially cleared and Tappin sent in a thunderous right footed drive across Phillips and into the top corner of the net.

Rovers did have chances to equalise before the break, the best falling to Craig Loxton but Sam Elkins got in a great block to deny the Rovers’ midfielder after a good cross from McCootie.

The visitors came out for the second half in determined mood and were level on 48 minutes. Loxton’s free kick was headed on by Scott Brice and his fellow central defender, Stuart Pearson, was on hand to slot the ball home.

Rovers should have taken the lead 3 minutes later when a slick passing move down the left saw the ball played into Billing and although his shot was blocked the ball fell to MCootie who blazed over the bar.

However Rovers were not to be denied and they deservedly went ahead in the 57th minute as an excellent move down the right saw Lacey find Josh Jeffries, whose shot took a wicked deflection off a defender and spun past the keeper and into the net.

Rovers had a penalty appeal turned down on 65 minutes when McCootie went down in the box under a challenge and then on 74 minutes skipper, Dan Cleverley, produced an excellent long range effort that Belloli-Pereira did well to save.

However Rovers did double their advantage on 75 minutes as Loxton’s right wing corner found the head of Brice and although the Didcot keeper produced yet another fine save the ball dropped to substitute, Joe Vyner, who fired home to mark an impressive first league appearance.

The home side did not give up and debutant, Josh Webb forced a great save from Phillips low to his left and Stuart Tovey got a great clearance away just before James Clark could react and put away the rebound. Didcot continued to press but Rovers could have added to their tally in the 80th minute when Loxton crossed from the right and Billing sent his volley just wide.

Rovers were forced to face an anxious last 5 minutes and injury time when, for the third time, Phillips was beaten with a great strike from outside the area, this time from the right boot of Elkins.

Phillips did have to produce one more fine save from Haysham but in the end it was the visitors who claimed all three points in an excellent game given the conditions.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Jack Allward, Stuart Pearson, Scott Brice, Josh Jeffries, Craig Loxton, Nick McCootie (Joe Vyner 71 mins), James Billing, Dan Cleverley (C), Ben Lacey.
Subs not used: Charlie Rich, Ben Osman, Brad Norris, Marcus Mapstone.

Referee: Shaun Barry

Assts: Robert Evans / Likasz Kowalewski

Attendance: 106