PAULTON Rovers suffered another 1-0 home defeat when they went down to Willand Rovers in Division One South of the Southern League on Saturday, writes Jon Green.
However, the result doesn’t tell the whole story. There were signs in the first half that something could at last be happening to turn things around.
Jaden Neale and Lenny Johnson were getting forward on the wings and looked to be creating chances. The first of which came in the 6th minute when Johnson found Bak who turned and shot but straight at the keeper.
Neale continued to cause issues on the right but was unable to find the final ball needed. The game settled with Willand also probing with Archie Matthews having to make a good stop when a Willand forward was sent clear.
Paulton finished the half with two headed chances, one for Bak and one for Jack Dancey. But neither could find the target. It had been an even half and certainly a more positive one for the hosts in comparison to recent matches.
There seemed to be reason for optimism around the ground but that was extinguished early in the second half as Willand had adjusted their tactics stifling Neale and Johnson. The new formation also meant the visitors were putting less pressure on the Rovers’ defence and the game became very midfield based.
However, the hosts ‘self destruct button’ reared its head again in the 60th minute when a poor ball out of defence was picked up by Bailey Kempster who strode forward with the inevitable likely to happen. And it did.
Now ahead, Willand were able to control the game and Paulton struggled to get through them for any meaningful chance.
The game played out without either team really testing each other’s keeper and Paulton left to rue their first half missed chances.
