The relative league positions of these two sides and the final score line would suggest this was an easy victory for Rovers but in reality it was from it with the visitors once again indebted to a fine performance from keeper, Jon Harvey.

The home side began very brightly and Rovers were not helped by the loss of skipper, Jordan Harvey after just 4 minutes. Having been forced to defend from the kick off on 6 minutes the visitors broke away down the right and Seb Nix set up Keane Sims who finished clinically.
The lead was doubled inside a minute and again the danger emanated from the right, this time Ryan Gays’ powerful run and cross giving Sims a much easier task of tapping home.

Rovers added their third on 25 minutes when Nix again threaded a pass through the home defence releasing Gay who was brought down in the box and the penalty awarded. Gay got to his feet and calmly slotted home the spot kick.

Odd Down were far from despondent and striker Sam Anstey twice went close before the interval, shooting just wide on 28 minutes and then forcing a great save from Harvey after good work from Joe Vyner 2 minutes from the break.

These same two players combined immediately after the restart and again Harvey thwarted Anstey with the save. Having enjoyed the better of the possession and chances in the second the home side conceded again on 65 minutes in Rovers’ first attack of the half.

Gay once again latched onto a through ball between the two central defenders and although home keeper, Sam Vinall, made a great block from the initial shot it was Gay who recovered his feet first to slot into the empty net.

Rovers completed the scoring on 75 minutes as again Vinall did well to save a shot, this time from Nix, but could only divert the ball into the path of substitute, Jordan Hunt who fired home.

There was still time for another Rovers’ substitute, Dan Woodbury, to have a shot cleared off the line by a defender and for Harvey to make yet another fine save to prevent Anstey and Odd Down scoring a goal, which their overall play and effort deserved.

Team: Jon Harvey, Edwards, Gianella, Cook, Sam Cottle, Jordan Harvey (C) (D Cottle 4 mins), Park, Nix, Joyner, Gay (Hunt 70 mins), Sims (Gwyther 80 mins).
Subs not used: Woodbury, Lewis.

Paulton Rovers FC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Login