Rovers started brightly and early signs were promising, with new signings Theo Mara, Joe Hall and Milo Murgatroyd all contributing well. The Bashley defence cleared an early Ed Butcher cross before an effort from Bashley’s Max Wilcock deceived Frankie Phillips in the Paulton goal, but fell just wide. Bashley were playing the more controlled football, but Paulton’s strong tackling defenders ensured that their progress was limited.

In the 9th minute the hardworking Martin Lenihan, having cleverly reached a good position in Bashley’s penalty area, was brought down. Butcher made no mistake with an emphatic penalty to put Rovers in front. Bashley responded well and Phillips pulled off a magnificent full-length fingertip save to deny Wilcock. Then Phillips was glad to see a fierce snap shot from Conor Whiteley just clear his crossbar.

Sam Pashen, Mara, Nick Hewlett, Chris Peck and captain Neil Martin in the Rovers defence were being stretched by the Bashley forwards, but were coping well, limiting the away team to long range efforts. Phillips, though, needed to pull off another fine save to prevent Lewis Ross from scoring an equaliser. Oliver Sully, playing at centre forward for Rovers, was beginning to cause problems, holding the ball up well, showing strong running and good ball control. One effort from him was comfortably caught by Ross Casey in the Bashley goal – a most vociferous keeper.

However, following some intense pressure from Bashley, and on the stroke of half time, a fine cross field move ended with Whiteley lashing the ball across Phillips and into the net to make the scores level.

Paulton began the second half with renewed vigour, and Butcher flashed a free kick agonisingly close to the near post after Sully had been fouled. Hall and Lenihan, both skilful players, were making inroads for Rovers, but Bashley continued to play the more controlled football, with their forwards a constant threat. Whiteley fired over the bar from a good position, while, following a free kick, Phillips bravely saved at the feet of two onrushing Bashley forwards and was injured in the process.

Paulton then had a better spell with Butcher, Sully and Murgatroyd prominent, but crosses were overhit or misdirected and clear chances were few. Substitute Jamarni Langlais, involved in one good move with Butcher and Murgatroyd, just failed to get his shot away, and the chance was gone. Pashen had a shot saved by Casey, following good work from Chris Peck, and Butcher fired over the bar.

But in the 79th minute, good Bashley play on the left saw Wilcock pass across to Luke Delaney whose shot from 20 yards beat Phillips to put the away team ahead. Rovers tried hard to recover but, in truth, did not have the quality to test Casey again.

Rovers have a dependable defence, backed by a fine goalkeeper and skilful players all over the pitch. But building the confidence to gradually link play from the back so that the whole team is involved in attacks would be helpful. Easier said than done. Lots for new manager Richard Fey to think about.

Late on, although Hall and Butcher started promising moves, an effective end product was not forthcoming. Bashley, with a bit of timewasting, had few problems in seeing out a game which they largely controlled. A nasty injury to Rovers’ Pashen only heightened the feeling of despondency felt by the Rovers faithful as they trooped away to buy their last-minute Mothers’ Day flowers.

Next matches: Tuesday 12 March Evesham (away) 7.45 ko
Saturday 16 March Bemerton Heath Harlequins (home) 3.00 ko