With Westbury riding high in the league and in good form, this was always going to be a tough game. Straight from the first whistle, they took the lions share of possession.

Rovers defended stoutly though and kept the visitors chances from mounting up. The first of their chances came in the fourth minute with a header that went wide from a freekick.

Whilst Archie Matthews wasn’t being unduly tested, Rovers were labouring to get the ball forward themselves to create anything. It took until the 19th minute to open up Westbury’s defence. Brandon Bak split the defence and found Tyller Davies-Whitlock who charged into the box with the keeper saving at his feet at the crucial moment.

Moments later, Sid Partridge launched a ball to the far post. It seemed to be a cross but ended up heading goalwards. The keeper stretched and just kept the ball out.

That was the extent of Rovers good chances in the first half and from then on it was Westbury pressing. The hosts managed to keep the ball out until halftime and were still in the game.

Things went wrong early in the second half. A ball from the right led to a melee in the box which resulted in a red card for Jack Dancey and a penalty for Westbury. Dancey was carded for deliberately handling the ball off the line but the decision was controversial because it appeared that Archie Matthews had been kicked in the chest in the build up.

The penalty was duly despatched giving the visitors the lead. Paulton were now up against it. Down to ten men again for the second time in three games. However, the defending practice they got from that game meant that they rarely had to resort to back to the wall tactics. Westbury, despite having more of the ball, couldn’t fashion a game winning opening.

However, Rovers weren’t making much of their possession either and other than a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions, couldn’t test the keeper.

It took until added time for Westbury to breakthrough again. A ball from the right found Will Taylor free in the box who was able to steer the ball in.

It was a disappointing result but mainly down to the way it happened rather the result itself. Rovers head for Exmouth next Saturday hoping to pick themselves up again.

Next Up:
Exmouth (A), Saturday 7th November, 3pm