MANGOTSFIELD UNITED 4 PAULTON ROVERS 1

PAULTON ROVERS 1 BIDEFORD 2

Paulton plummeted to another defeat at the hands of an impressive young Mangos’ side.

Rovers had a great chance to score on six minutes from Dale Evans’ corner, but defender, Trey Anderson, headed wide. The hosts took a twelfth-minute lead as Rovers failed to clear their lines, and Tom Hillman’s laidback pass was driven into the net across keeper, Adam Forster, by centre back, Keith Kearney.

Dan Demkiv, leading the home attack, had two great chances, missing the target and bringing a save from Forster. The youngster had his hands stung, first by James Ollis, then Demkiv again. Mangos’ loanee from Newport County, Tom Hillman, was a real thorn in the Rovers

defence, and saw a shot deflected for a corner. As half-time approached, Dave Evans tried to lob Mango’s Aussie keeper, Marko Radovonovic, who was alert to tip over the crossbar.

If Paulton’s dedicated supporters hoped for a second half revival, they were disappointed as Hillman’s shot was cleared off the line by Rovers’ skipper, Charlie Hitchings, then Demkiv raced through, fluffing a golden opportunity.

Rovers sub, Ryan Gay, hit a cracking swerving volley that looked destined for the top right-hand corner, bringing a brilliant save from Radovonovic to turn for a corner. A minute later, Mango’s made it 2-0 as Hillman cut in from the left to strike a superb shot past Forster. Two minutes later, it was three as Ollis’ cross was turned home by Lee Hartsthorn, with the visiting defence in disarray.

Paulton had a chance gifted to them three minutes later as the hard-working Liam Monelle was brought down in the penalty area by Kearney, and Jack Ball, on as sub, stroked the spot-kick home.

On 71 minutes, Man of the Match, Hillman, crossed for sub, Jake Thomas, to create space to shoot home from close-range. In the dying minutes, Monelle had a fierce shot turned over by the keeper, who then brought another fine save from Gay’s low shot.

On Easter Monday, Paulton lost their tenth game on the trot, despite a much improved performance, especially in the first half. Biddy’s Sean Dowling was twice stopped by Trey Anderson, and he set up a move which saw Liam Monelle shoot wide.

Visiting Captain, Ben Carter, saw his shot deflected for a corner, which Anderson cleared to Ryan Gay. He hit a cross-field ball to Jack Ball, who laid it into the path of Monelle to hit a cracking shot across Bideford keeper, Joe Moore, to see Rovers score their first goal from open play in 747 minutes.

Biddy started the second half with Downing nodding the ball to Archie Reay, who hit well-wide. Rovers’ young keeper, Adam Forster, was kept busy holding a Billy Tucker cross and Ben Palmer’s header, before Tucker shot wide. On the hour, Dowling got on the end of a long-ball from right-back, Sam Hayne, to lay the ball to Ryan Turner to equalise. Reay shot over the bar from a long Tucker throw.

On 75 minutes, Bideford grabbed the lead as first Forster pulled off a great save from veteran sub, Kevin Squire, who then hit the crossbar. In the follow-up, Palmer brought another save from Forster, but the full-back laid it back to Dowling to make it 2-1. In the dying minutes, Rovers should have levelled from Evans’ corner on the left, but the unchallenged Anderson headed wide.

Next Saturday, 27th April, the final match of the season is away to Bristol Manor Farm; kick off 3 p.m. The club’s presentation evening is on Friday, 4th May from 7 p.m. All supporters welcome, with buffet provided.

Tony Walsh