A hattrick by new player manager, Kyle Tooze, and a goal from defender Nick Hewlett ensured Rovers took all three points from Westbury in a thrilling game.

The last few weeks haven't been easy for Rovers with turmoil both on and off the pitch but the news this week that Kyle Tooze was appointed as player manager alongside his assistant Dennis Perry and coach Matt Hesford should excite the fans as we know that 'Toozey' always gives 110% on the pitch. An attitude that seemed to have rubbed off on the team as they fought back from being behind three times and to nick the game in the final minutes.

The signs were good as early as the 2nd minute when Tooze himself was put through on the left but his shot from tight angle was stopped by Jonathan Hill in the hosts goal. However, the following 15 minutes or so saw neither team get a real grip of the game as they struggled with the heavy surface. There were some strong tackles going in and the game started to become tense quite early as a member of the Westbury coaching staff was yellow carded in the 10th minute.

The first goal came in the 15th minute when Westbury's Charlie Walton struck a shot from distance that the Rovers defence were unable to deal with quickly enough. Harvey Flippance was able to nip in and find the bottom corner. It was a rather sloppy goal to give away and unfortunately wouldn't be the last time.

Just a minute later though, Rovers had their chance to level the game when Kye Simpson, again running in from the left, had his low cross/shot handled by Aaron Cockerill who seemed to throw himself into the path of the ball head first rather than feet first. Kyle Tooze stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty.

The hope that it may settle Rovers down wasn't to be as some more unfortunate defending led to another goal for Westbury in the 23rd minute. From a corner, there was a scramble with the ball falling to Charlie Walton who turned and shot smartly into the Rovers goal seemingly through a number of defenders.

Despite the setback, Rovers worked hard and pushed forward a number of times although were unable to make the Westbury keeper work. The equaliser came in the 35th minute. After a set piece, the ball fell to Neil Martin around 40 yards from goal. He launched in a cross which Fin Haines was able to nod down in front of two Westbury challengers. The ball then eluded two more defenders which allowed Nick Hewlett to turn and smash a shot into the bottom lefthand corner of the net.

Rovers continued to push in the final minutes of the half. In the 39th minute, Kyle Tooze brilliantly turned his man to get in a cross but it was cut out just before a Rovers player could get to it. This was followed by a shot from distance by David O'Hare that didn't trouble the Westbury goal. In added time, a corner from Braeden Symes was nodded just over the bar. It hadn't all been Rovers in those closing moments though as Westbury's Joseph Stradling went close. Both teams left the field thinking they could be ahead but a draw was looking about right on the chances.

It was Westbury who came out firing in the second half and they restored their lead in the 47th minute. From a Westbury free kick, there appeared to be a communication issue in the Rovers defence and Harvey Flippance was able to easily nod in his second goal of the day. Yet again Rovers were going to have to come from behind and it would have been easy to think that the confidence would be knocked from them as it has been done several times this season.

But it was another fine response that gave Rovers a deserved equaliser. They continued to work hard to make chances and in the 58th minute a long forward ball got Kyle Tooze charging towards the box but just as he reached the ball he was taken clean out by the Westbury keeper. After dusting himself down and taking a minute to give his head time to clear, Tooze put away the resulting penalty.

The Paulton fans were up again and they were given further chance to cheer as Ed Butcher was subbed on to make his first appearance since his serious injury in pre-season. And he made an instant impact just two minutes after when he combined with Kyle Tooze on the right which gave him time to launch one of his trademark strikes that flew just past the post. Seconds later, Kye Simpson was through on the left but his shot hit the side-netting.

Rovers were buoyed and now looked more like the team that won so convincingly at Bristol Manor Farm two weeks ago. The winner came in the 73rd minute when a Paulton through ball that seemed to be heading out over the by-line and protected by Westbury defender was robbed by Kyle Tooze who had chased it down. He turned inside and from a tight of angle, smashed that ball over the Westbury keeper for his hattrick!

Rovers made a double substitution with the Rovers manager and Fin Haines leaving the pitch for Josh Crispin and Joe Morgan. Westbury also went down to ten men when Callum Demkiv had to leave the pitch through injury but had used all their substitutions.

The final few minutes saw Westbury, despite their disadvantage, push hard for for an equaliser and Rovers had to battle hard to keep them out. Inevitably, this led to openings for Rovers to hit them on the break and Joe Morgan and David O'Hare both went close before the final whistle. After a tense opening, it had became a pulsating game which, arguably, either team could have won. Thankfully, the balance had tipped Rovers way at just the right time!

Last week's abandoned match against Bashley aside, that is now back to back wins for a more confident looking Rovers that will also have the experienced Ed Butcher back in the squad.

Check out our Youtube channel over the coming days where we will upload the Rovers goals as 'shorts'.

With next Saturday's game with Hamworthy cancelled after their withdrawal from the league, the next test for the team comes on Tuesday 14th November when we face Bridgwater Utd in the Somerset Premier Cup at The Winterfield Stadium. Kick-off 7.30pm.