Rovers travelled to Barnstaple Town on Saturday afternoon and came away with all three points despite struggling to create chances for most of the game.

A good run of form had seen Paulton undefeated before making the journey to Barnstaple and the opening minutes saw them doing most of the work in the hosts half. Although they were unable to test the keeper, Rovers looked like the team more likely to make the breakthrough.

But disaster struck in the 22nd minute when the ball was given away cheaply in the middle of the park allowing Barnstaple to break down the right. The ball came into the box and reached Luke Mortimore who was able to spin and shoot past Archie Matthews.

The goal lifted the home team and they went close soon after with a header. Rovers were now toiling a bit and struggling to make any headway. Barnstaple looked the team most likely to score the next goal.

Rovers best chance of the half came in the 31st minute when Dylan Gould nodded on a long ball and found Brandon Bak but his shot flew wide of the post.

For the first 25 minutes or so of the second half, the game progressed much as it had done in the first half as Barnstaple made most of the running. However, they were unable to create a really good clear cut chance and Archie Matthews was barely tested.

The game hadn’t been a great spectacle and it looked like it may peter out with the home team taking the points. But Rovers equaliser changed the game. Martin Lenihan picked up the ball in the midfield and powered forward picking out Brandon Bak on the edge of the box. He turned his man and powered a shot past the keeper.

The goal picked up the visitors and all of a sudden it looked they weee now more likely to grab the winner. And it came eight minutes later.

Rovers won a corner which was defended away but the ball came out to Cam Allen. His cross found Brandon Bak who shielded the ball before crossing to the far post. Tom Bradley was unlucky not to turn the ball in but it bounced out to Jack Dancey who’s initial shot was blocked but it came back to him and he beautifully lifted the ball back in over the keeper.

The goal stunned the home crowd who were at one point expecting the three points. Paulton perfectly managed the final minutes and took all three points in what could be a crucial win away from home.

Next Up:
Worcester Raiders (H), Saturday 17th October, 3pm

*Please note we won’t have full highlights for this game but we will have the goals on our YouTube Shorts Feed