YATE TOWN 3 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Yate Town comfortably won this battle of the final play off place hopefuls although Rovers will feel they gifted their local rivals the first two goals.

The visitors began brightly enough with a move down the right that saw skipper, Dan Cleverley, release Nick McCootie, who raced away before crossing into the box, but it eluded everyone and was cleared. Yate’s first attempt on goal soon followed as Jack Allward conceded a free kick, which Geraint Bater curled toward the far corner but which was pushed away by keeper, Kyle Phillips and Karim Rendall put the ball back across to Bater, who sent his shot just wide of the far post. Rovers replied with another break and it was Ben Lacey this time who pulled a ball back across goal but again the visitors had insufficient men forward to take advantage. Town went close on 15 minutes when Yate's assistant player manager, Michael Meaker did well to set up the prolific scorer, Scott Wilson, but this time his shot went across goal and wide of the far post. Allward and McCootie then did well down the left to set up Marcus Mapstone on the edge of the box but his side footed effort went well over the bar.

After the even opening Yate went ahead in the 20th minute when Bater launched a hopeful volley forward, which Phillips, called for, only to see Rendall out jump him to the bouncing ball and head home despite a desperate slide by full back, Allward.

Having come close to doubling their advantage in the 27th minute when skipper, Tom Warren, headed over a Bater free kick, Rovers gifted their opponents a second goal. It come on 38 minutes when a harmless looking ball down the right channel saw Rovers' full back, Stuart Tovey, trying to shield the ball for a goal kick, but Matt Groves managed, on the slide, to cross for Scott Wilson to score easily.

Rovers produced an excellent move 5 minutes from the break but having done well to collect McCootie’s right wing cross, Craig Loxton’s shot on the turn went straight to the keeper. In the final minute of the half Town, could and should have put the game beyond doubt with a sweeping move that saw Grove’s pass send Rendall clear, but his shot from the edge of the box was superbly touched over by Phillips.

The second half was a scrappy affair of few chances, Rendall volleying just wide, Scott Brice heading a corner wide for the visitors and Groves shooting straight at Phillips. However having set up a cross that Rendall headed just wide Meaker then brightened things up on 76 minutes when the ball broke to him some 25 yards out and the veteran striker curled a superb right foot shoot past Phillips into the far corner.

Rovers almost responded immediately as a great run from Lacey ended with him being brought down on the edge of the box and Brandon Barnes curled the free kick just wide of the post with the Yate keeper rooted to the spot. Then in injury time substitute, Ben Osman had another free kick but this time it took a deflection off the defensive wall and went just wide of the near post.

Overall Yate were worthy winners and deservedly closed the gap on their opponents, who in truth, were far from their best and the home keeper, Lubos Ancin will rarely have had a quieter afternoon between the posts.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey (James Billing 57 mins), Jack Allward, Stuart Pearson, Scott Brice, Marcus Mapstone, Craig Loxton, Ben Lacey, Brandon Barnes, Dan Cleverley (C), Nick McCootie (ben Osman) 83 mins).
Subs not used: Josh Jeffries, Charlie Rich, Joe Vyner.

Rovers’ Star Man: Stuart Pearson

Referee: Adam Nunn

Assts: David Hoareau / Martin Veater

Attendance: 215