Paulton Rovers 1

Yate Town 0

Paulton earned a priceless win on Boxing Day against a Yate Town team sprinkled with ex- Rovers players.

In doing so, they were indebted to a first-class goalkeeping performance from Frankie Phillips. The Rovers custodian made a succession of fine saves to deny the Bluebells the goal their approach play probably deserved.

Both sides found themselves at the wrong end of the table and needing a victory. Rovers suffered a damaging defeat at Melksham last Saturday, while Yate have not won a game since October.

From the off, both teams showed attacking intent, although it was Town who found some early rhythm and had more of the ball. Wingers Callum Hutton and Dylan Lewis made enterprising runs, causing Rovers full backs Sam Pashen and Will Armstrong some concern. In the 11th minute, Phillips made his first fine save from Oliver Jenkins whose shot seemed destined for the bottom corner, following a bout of pinball in the Rovers’ penalty area.

In the 20th and 28th minutes, Phillips made two outstanding saves - first to deny Lewis and then to foil Yate captain McMillan. Then Paulton captain Neil Martin made an excellent interception to halt a dangerous attack by the yellow Bluebells. But Paulton had chances too. The two Dans - McBeam and Cottle - were both working hard to create openings but Sainsbury remained largely untroubled. A fine cross field move involving Martin Lenihan and David O’Hare ended disappointingly as Ed Butcher fired over the bar.

The score remained 0-0 at half time despite a Yate defender, under pressure, being adjudged to have passed the ball back to goalie Sainsbury. The indirect free kick, awarded just yards from the goal caused the expected mayhem, with the whole Yate team on the goal line. There was some loss of self-control but thankfully, no body parts.

Rovers emerged from the dressing room with renewed vigour and in the 52nd minute, O’Hare, benefitting from some fine left-wing interplay between Butcher and McBeam, took control of the ball, strode forward into the penalty area and dispatched a fine shot past the Yate keeper. It was a moment of real quality from O’Hare, and capped a fine performance from him.

Yate tried hard, but Phillips was equal to all that they could offer, savig well from McMillan, Finley Bell and Lewis. Both teams introduced changes. Paulton substitute Jamani Langlais added some impetus on the right side of the attack. His fine run down the wing ended with Cottle’s shot being well saved by Sainsbury. On another occasion, Langlais exchanged passes with Butcher before crashing a flying header against the underside of the Yate crossbar. It was a brilliant move and deserved a goal.

Then Town threatened again as centre forward Ryan Lewis Hillier was unfairly challenged by Dan Restorick right on the edge of the penalty area. The Rovers faithful held their collective breath as Mike Baker lined up the free kick. They collectively exhaled as it sailed over the bar.

There was plenty of effort from both teams which contributed to an enjoyable Boxing Day encounter, but neither side could display the composure on the ball for long enough to dominate proceedings. A nerve jangling ten extra minutes were added by referee Payne, but Rovers’ determination to hold on was epitomised by Phillips’ brilliant flying catch at the end.

Upcoming fixtures: Mousehole (home), Saturday 6th January. Kick-off 3.00pm.

U18’s Odd Down (home), Thursday, 4th January. Kick-off 7.30pm, Weston-super-Mare (home), Thursday, 11th January. Kick-off 7.30pm.

Women, all kick-off at 2pm. Firsts at home to AEK Boco. Reserves at home against Bishops Lydeard. Development Side are away to Portishead. Noel Avis