PAULTON ROVERS 1 ABINGDON UNITED 0

Rovers maintained their push for the play-offs with a narrow victory over a spirited Abingdon United.

The home side dominated the early exchanges and in the 2nd minute a Charlie Rich free kick from the left was only partially cleared to Marcus Mapstone, who found James Billing in the box and who in turn set up Craig Loxton for a shot that was comfortably claimed by the United keeper, James Foster. On 10 minutes Ben Lacey produced a great run and cross from the right and the header out dropped to Billing who brought it down well only for Foster to make a block. Just a minute later Scott Brice got on the end of a Brandon Barnes free kick but sent his header just wide.

Having weathered the storm the visitors got back in the game and Rovers’ full back, Stuart Tovey, did well to turn away a dangerous cross from Gianlucca Riccio and moments later Matt Biddle flashed a near post header just wide from a Toby Newell cross. The game became quite even with play fluctuating from end to end with some neat passing but no real threat to either goal until the 38th minute when home keeper, Kyle Phillips, sent a clearance downfield, which Foster called for but didn’t get and Billing’s lob from the edge of the box was headed over from under his own bar by United skipper, Gareth Thomas.

Rovers began the second half without Billing who was still troubled with an injury he picked up against Hungerford Town, which gave Joe Vyner an opportunity to lead the line. However it was Abingdon who began the half brightly without much real threat and it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 56th minute with an excellent move, which saw Loxton pick out Barnes on the left and his shot across goal beat Foster only to hit the far post and rebound safely into the keeper’s grateful arms. Vyner then set up Loxton for a shot that went well over the bar.

The game turned in the 57th minute when Abingdon won a corner from the left, which was headed on to Chris Baker beyond the far post, who volleyed straight at Phillips. Rovers broke quickly and Rich’s excellent pass picked out Barnes who went around Foster only to be pulled down by the United keeper, who was relieved to see the referee only produce a yellow card. When the game finally resumed on the hour mark Barnes tucked away the penalty to give his side a lead they just about deserved.

The visitors almost equalised 8 minutes later when a Tom Melledew shot took a deflection and landed just over the bar with Phillips beaten. Rovers had a great opportunity to close the game out on 70 minutes with an excellent move down the left which saw Vyner pick out Barnes and his pass sent Loxton clear but his shot looped up off Foster and Thomas headed off the line for a second time in the match.

The visitors applied some pressure in the closing stages but lacked a cutting edge enabling Rovers to claim the points and set things up nicely for the next three league games against fellow play-off hopefuls, Yate Town, Merthyr Town and Swindon Supermarine.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Charlie Rich, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Josh Jeffries (Ben Osman 78 mins), Craig Loxton, Ben Lacey, James Billing (Joe Vyner 45 mins), Dan Cleverley (C), Brandon Barnes.
Subs not used: Jack Allward, Steve Bridges, Dan Cottle.

Referee: Mark Greenwood

Assts: Sam Littlefair / Graeme Martin

Attendance: 61