PAULTON ROVERS 2 v 0 MANGOTSFIELD UNITED

(Aside) Paulton Rovers man of the match Nick McCootie receives his award from manager Nick Bunyard.

A great all round team performance ensured Paulton Rovers will at least finish fourth and await who they now meet in the Calor Southern League Division One South & West play offs next week.

The visit of Mangotsfield United was always going to be tough for Nick Bunyard's men, as both sides served up a good match in front of the large bank holiday crowd.

It was the Mango's who had the first chance after Aron Robbins nearly got on the end of Darren Edwards flick on.

Rovers saw Nick McCootie win a 50/50 dual and shoot narrowly wide.

After twelve minutes captain Dan Cleverley linked well with Luke Ballinger and as he raced on to the return ball he was adjudged to have fouled the combative Matt Sysum.

Paulton had theree chances in quick succession midway through the first half. First Mike Perrott won a tackle laid the ball to McCootie on the right wing whose cross failed to reach a team mate. Then Perrott set up Brandon Barnes only for visiting keeper Kevin Sawyer to save the Rovers left winger's firm shot. Sawyer then saved low to his right from Ballinger.

McCootie was causing all sorts of problems and Cleverley flighted a through ball which McCootie nodded past the on rushing Sawyer, but was deemed to have handled the ball.

Sysum was lucky to stay on the pitch as he stopped Perrott's goal ward run and thereby a goal scoring opportunity.

Six minutes from half time Rovers had the ball in the net from McCootie's pass to Dean Evans who was ruled offside.

Within a minute of the restart Paulton took the lead. Perrott ran from the half way line passed to Ballinger on the right wing. His ball on to the edge of the penalty area was superbly controlled by McCootie who turned and drove a low hard shot passed Sawyer.

This was Rovers one hundredth goal of the season.

Four minutes later with Sysum booked for yet another foul on McCootie, Ballinger's free kick struck the crossbar and Evans hit the rebound over.

Mango's had a spell midway through the half when they gained the upper hand failing to penetrate Rovers defence with Scott Brice and Marcus Mapstone solid in the centre of defence allowing full back Stuart Tovey and Sam Teale to raid up the wings. Kyle Phillips was rarely trouble a ably dealt with all the high, balls and crosses all afternoon.

Fifteen minutes from time Rovers had a great chance to add to their tally. McCootie won the ball found Ballinger whose cross was headed goalwards by McCootie, safely into Sawyer's hands.

Five minutes from time Barnes outwitted Sysum, flicked the ball over the defender's head only to cross to firmly and over the bar.

A minute later a Paulton sealed the win when McCootie robbed Mango's captain Neil Arndale cut inside and hit a low volley passed Sawyer into the net.

Just time for one last counter attack saw Josh Egan's cross easily caught by Phillips.

Rovers travel to North Leigh next week and a win and Tiverton's unlikely defeat at home to second bottom side Fleet Town could see them finish third with a better goal difference. So a trip to Ladysmead next week (possibly Tuesday 29 April) seems the most likely outcome.

Paulton Rovers :- Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Sam Teale, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Dean Evans, Brandon Barnes, Mike Perrott, Luke Ballinger, Dan Cleverley (C), Nick McCootie

Subs not used - Alex Lapham, Josh Klein Davies, Callum Hinder, Dave Thompson, Josh Jeffries

Paulton man of the match - Nick McCootie

The coach for North Leigh is due to leave the club at 11-00 a.m. calling at Tormarton at 11-50 a.m. Supporters are urged to add their name to the list from Wednesday or contact Chris Fenwick, Dave Bissex or Tony Walsh to reserve a seat.and check the website for confirmed details later in the week.