A battling and organised Rovers left promotion playoff prospects, Evesham Utd, with a hard fought point on Tuesday evening and ending their run of defeats.

On paper this fixture looked like a certain home banker with the current form of both teams and from the first few moments even the most staunch Rovers supporters would have agreed to the facts. Evesham quickly got into their stride, using width across the park to launch attacks from the wings. Frankie Phillips in the Rovers’ goal was forced into a good save within two minutes and further probing attacks followed.

But Rovers slowly started to gain some traction themselves. The returning Leighton Thomas paired Jamarni Langlais upfront and both worked hard to hold the ball up for each other whilst being supported by Martin Lenihan and Ed Butcher on the flanks. In the 8th minute, Langlais jinked past an Evesham defender but his low cross was intercepted before the keeper was troubled.

It was a pattern that repeated throughout the first half. Evesham consistently used their width and caused the Rovers back line trouble. But the firm hands of Frankie Phillips were stopping anything that got through. Rovers looked to hit back with counter attacks and in the 29th minute, Martin Lenihan chased down an Evesham defender who seemed like he’d comfortably clear the ball. But the pressure from Lenihan forced a mistake and he was able to steal the ball and thread a pass to Langlais but it was cleared away as the striker got agonisingly close to getting a shot away.

Another chance came and went for Ed Butcher as he collected a ball on the half way line and stormed into the penalty box only to be halted just as he looked to play the final ball. Evesham came on strong again in the final few minutes of the half when another cross from wide by Aidan Clark was directed just wide by Amer Awadh.

At the half time break it was Evesham who were on top from the number of chances created but Rovers were never out of it and some more precision in the final third, could have had a goal themselves.

Rovers upped their pressure in the early minutes of the second half. Ed Butcher was making good progress on the left and he created a number of crosses that caused issues for the Evesham defence. But it was Evesham that came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 59th minute when Ethan Morgan’s shot from distance looked destined to hit the back of the net only to have Frankie Phillips pull off a wonder save to tip it over!

Undeterred, Rovers pressed on and had two good chances in quick succession. More good work from Ed Butcher gave Leighton Thomas the chance to try and flick the ball over the keeper from a tight angle but it didn’t quite come off and the ball looped up easily for the keeper to take. Two minutes later, some nice play between Thomas and right back Jesse Thompson allowed a shot for the latter but the keeper was equal to it.

In the 70th minute, Dan McBeam replaced the hard working Jamarni Langlais and was immediately into the action by forcing a corner. This was followed by a nice cross from Martin Lenihan that found Ed Butcher at the back post but he couldn’t make a clear contact and the chance was gone.

Rovers were now looking as dangerous as the hosts and when Olly Sully and Milo Murgatroyd replaced Leighton Thomas and Ed Butcher, the fresh legs gave new impetus. Two great chances came for both teams as the 90th minute approached. Evesham’s Will Owen headed over from a pinpoint cross followed by Rovers breaking though Sully finding Murgatroyd with the resulting cross picking out Dan McBeam. Under pressure, he missed his connection and the ball deflected away to the relief of the Evesham defence.

The final moments were tense. Rovers were close to their first point for some weeks and didn’t want to lose it. Naturally, they sat back a little but inviting Evesham pressure. But the defence stood firm and the game ended in a stalemate.

It was a decent 0 - 0 draw with both teams rueful that they couldn’t take all three points. Arguably, Frankie Phillips had more to do than the Evesham stopper, but Rovers looked more consistently dangerous than they have for some time.

‘Positives’ is a word that’s been used rather a lot in recent Paulton Rovers reports but this was certainly a game to feel positive about. The new signings are all gelling well and more time together will only improve the communication between players. Something to build on as we go back to The Winterfield Stadium on Saturday!

Next game: Bemerton Heath Harlequins (H), Saturday 16th March. 3pm.