MERTHYR TOWN 0 v 2 PAULTON ROVERS

(Aside) Paulton Rovers captain holds aloft the promotion shield

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CALOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH & WEST PLAY OFF FINAL

With over 200 supporters Rovers travelled to Penydarren Park home of previously undefeated Merthyr Town and won promotion to the Southern League Premier with a resolute defensive performance.

Many of the large 'Martyr's' supporters in a crowd of 2,201 were confident, but Paulton manager Nick Bunyard, his assistant Paul Milsom and coach Josh Jeffries were determined Rovers were not there as part of the Welsh club's celebration party.

In the early stages Paulton withstood constant pressure with keeper Kyle Phillips saving from Ryan Newman and ex Bristol City and Rovers man Gavin Williams trying to organise his midfield.

Central defender Scott Brice and Marcus Mapstone won header after header as Town built attacks down the wings with Rovers full backs Ben Lacey and Mike Reaney solid.

Indeed on 20 minutes Brice's header out found Brandon Barnes he played a one two with Nick McCootie and raced goalwards drawing the home keeper Lee Idiz only to shoot wide when a goal seemed more likely.

Ian Traylor and ex Southampton player Kyle McLaggon combined well but could not get passed Phillips. Merthyr free kicks from Newman and Gavin Williams sailed over the crossbar as the home side tried to convert their dominance.

Rovers came out more determined in the second half with Mike Perrott and Luke Ballinger linking well with McCootie.

He won a corner after fifty minutes taken left footed on the right by Barnes, Perrott on the far post brought the ball down and across the goal mouth for McCottie to tuck into the net and give Paulton the lead.

Merthyr brought on Ryan Prosser and the giant striker worked well with McLaggon and Kris Leek only to be thwarted by Phillips and his defenders bolstered by Dave Thompson addding extra height to cover the threats.

Phillips saved bravely at the feet of McLaggon and his clearance in the sixty sixth minute to Ballinger then Perrott found McCottie who dribbled and wrigged towards goal only to have his feet taken from underneath him by Newman.

McCottie stepped up with a well taken firm penalty beating Ibiz to his right to make it 2-0.

Merthyr took Gavin Williams off to bring on ex Bath City winger Kerry Morgan and Phillips was called upon to save at the Welshman's feet and did not take kindly to him not pulling out when the keeper was clearly going to win the ball.

With eight minutes left McCottie broke down the left wing appeared to be fouled but carried on with the goal at his sight to be fouled again in the penalty area. Referee Tim Wood quite rightly took the ball back to the original infrigment much to the chagrin of the vocal Paulton support.

MCootie was substituted by Josh Klein-Davies receiving applause from the vast majority of the large crowd.

Merthyr threw everything in the dying minutes but captain Dan Cleverley who has taken Rovers from the Western League 10 years ago lead his side imperiously as Prosser and Morgan tried desperatly to stop the Rovers party.

However it was Cleverley who accepted the promotion trophy from league chairman Ken Thorne to set the Paulton Rovers celebration party in full swing.

Paulton Rovers :- Kyle Phillips, Ben Lacey, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Mike Reaney, Brandon Barnes, Dave Thompson, Mike Perrott, Luke Ballinger, Dan Cleverley, Nick McCootie (Josh Klein Davies 80).

Subs not used - Alex Lapham, Ryan Bath, Josh jeffries, Ryan Batten

Paulton Rovers man of the match - Nick McCottie (but what a whole squad effort)

Referee Tim Wood (Gloucester) Excellent

See the opposing view on Merthyr Town.

Follow the banter on the Martyrs Forum.

Somer Valley FM broadcast the match and is now available HERE to LISTEN AGAIN