PAULTON Rovers lost 2-0 at home to newly-promoted Ivybridge Town in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League.

Just four minutes had gone when, in their first foray into Paulton’s half, a speculative cross was deflected into the path of Ivybridge’s Owen Pritchard. Unchallenged, he headed the ball powerfully past Dan Jackson in the Rovers goal to put the visitors one up.

Rovers were unfazed by this early setback and, with fit again Martin Lenihan encouraging and pulling the strings and Dan McBeam’s surging runs, Rovers began to take the game to Ivybridge. Winger Milo Murgatroyd showed great skill, jinking past defenders before his shot was saved by Kyle Moore in the Ivybridge goal.

But in the 14th minute, after Jackson had safely fielded a shot, Rovers committed a classic ‘schoolboy error’ in trying to pass across the face of goal. The pass was intercepted by the Connor Rush who broke gleefully away. With Paulton defenders trailing in his wake, he side-footed the ball past Paulton’s goalie to double the Town’s advantage.

Paulton kept their heads and tried hard to respond. Jack Farion embarked on one forward run that ended with his shot being acrobatically saved by Moore. But Town have some speedy forwards and their composed play continued to cause problems for the Rovers defenders. Manager Johnston saw fit to make early substitutions.

Rovers continued to press. Centre forward Kye Simpson made a fine run down the right and cut the ball back to Murgatroyd, who fired just wide. Young Jac Poffley saw his fine header sail just over the bar, while McBeam and Farion had shots blocked.

As the first half ended, Paulton had had the greater share of possession and created chances, yet found themselves two goals down.

Rovers started the second half brightly. McBeam hit the crossbar direct from a corner and Kye Simpson’s cross was well held by Town keeper Moore. But Ivybridge continued to pose a threat as their forwards, fed with accurate passes from midfield outpaced the Rovers defence.

Paulton stuck to their task. Murgatroyd, through on goal, was foiled at the last second and Ford’s header went into the side netting. Chances were frustratingly not taken. Tempers boiled over and in the 65th minute, the Paulton manager was shown a red card.

Gradually, Rovers started to wrestle back some control but they could not put the finishing touches to some good moves.

Paulton player of the match: Milo Mugatroyd.