WINCHESTER CTY 2 PAULTON ROVERS 1

With their play-off position already confirmed Rovers had the luxury of fielding a below strength side to enable City to mark their last appearance in the Southern League with a second successive home victory.

The closest Rovers came to scoring in a disappointing first half was in the second minute when a neat passing move ended with Ben Osman firing in a 25 yard drive that City keeper, George Passingham, did well to get down to, low to his left. One feature of Rovers season has been their improved discipline but that deserted them in this game and they were made to pay. The warning signs were there as early as the 8th minute when player manger, James Taylor sent a header from a free kick straight at visiting keeper, Kyle Phillips. City came even closer on 16 minutes as Ben Wilson’s free kick from 25 yards out came back off the post and in the resulting scramble Osman cleared the ball off the line.

Both sides had a couple of half chances but a combination of a bouncy pitch, strong wind and blustery showers meant neither side really threatened to break the deadlock and it was with some relief when the referee blew for half time.

Fortunately for all concerned the second half proved more entertaining and it was Rovers who took the lead in the 52nd minute. James Vincent went on a good run down the right but his cross was cleared only as far as Osman who sent a ball to the far post where it bounced up nicely for Joe Bushin to head home from close range.

The lead was almost doubled just a minute later as Billing did well to control a ball forward and make good progress before slipping a pass through to Vincent but his effort was well saved by Passingham who spread himself well to make the block.

The visitors’ lead lasted just 5 minutes as the visitors conceded yet another free kick 25 yards out and Wilson’s curling left footed effort saw Phillips get a firm touch but was unable to prevent the ball entering the net.

Rovers almost responded immediately as Osman sent in a free kick which a City defender sliced into the side netting while at the other end the hosts had an appeal for hand ball turned down but on 64 minutes they were duly awarded as penalty as a clumsy challenge from Dan Cottle, making his first Southern League start, saw Taylor go to ground and Adam Tomasso made no mistake with the spot kick.
City had a chance again on 71 minutes as having conceded another free kick Lee Davidson’s clearing header dropped to skipper, Patrick Nolan, who volleyed over the bar. Nick McCootie came on to replace goal scorer, Bushin and was denied by a fine save from Passingham as he sent in a volley from a long Davidson throw in. Rovers pressed for an equaliser but although McCootie again went close and Stuart Tovey failed to hit the target, it was City that held on to claim the points.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Steve Bridges, Lee Davidson, Scott Brice (C) (Edwards 45 mins), Jeffries, Osman, Cottle (Bunyard 73 mins), Billing, Bushin (McCootie 67 mins), Vincent.
Subs not used: Reaney, Barnes.

Referee: Peter Lavelle

Assts: Jonathan Hollier / Karl Searl

Attendance: 138