Report by Jon Green

An ex-Rovers' player scored the winner against a Paulton team that looked far from the team that had won over Barnstaple on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers should have gone into this game high on confidence after a battling victory on Saturday afternoon but it was clear from the start that Bradford weren't to be outdone in the hard-work stakes. Right from the off they hustled the visitors into mistakes forcing Rovers to consistently play long balls and the Bradford defence lapped up most of these plays. But they themselves were also finding Rovers hard to break down and so the opening fifteen minutes or so saw very little in the way of decent football.

Bradford opened the scoring in the 17th minute from a corner. The ball was swung in and virtually unchallenged Harvey Woods was able to nod the ball back across the goal and in. It was a very disappointing way to concede. Unfortunately, Rovers didn't really respond and the next ten minutes or so saw the hosts making all the moves.

On the half hour mark though, Rovers did win a corner against the general run of play. Curtis Dunn swung a ball in low and to the near post where Chris Peck was waiting to nod in from a tight angle.

Rovers weren't level long as six minutes later Bradford took the lead again. Another of Rovers' ex-players, Jack Farion, stepped up to take a free-kick which was tipped away by Alfie Kelsey. The ball was nodded back across goal and flicked on again to the waiting Leo Gallazi who swept the ball in. Paulton had been undone by two of their ex-players.

Rovers had a lot to do in the second half and the signs were more positive as four minutes in, Elliot Haffenden had a shot pushed wide of the post. Ten minutes later, Kieran Baggs made a triple change which included the introduction of Kitan Jaiyeoba, Joel Smedley and new player, Ricky Scott. The visitors were now seeing more of the ball and playing better football and finally putting Bradford under some pressure.

While Rovers now pushed forward they restricted Bradford to counter attacks and whilst they did have a third goal rightfully ruled out for offside, they didn't give Alfie Kelsey too much to do. But Rovers weren't opening up Bradford often either as the home team looked organised with a high work rate. The game played out with Rovers pushing but unable to make a break through. Its clear that Trowbridge Road will bew a tough place to go for any team should Bradford continue to play in that manner.

Next Up:
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Road
Hamble Club FC (H), Saturday 2nd August, 3pm