PAULTON Rovers kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier Division in the Jewson Western Football League with a 4-2 home victory over Shepton Mallet in mid-week.

Goals from Wayne Nderemani, Martin Lenihan, Kailan Gould and an own goal ensured Rovers took the points on derby day and stretched their run of winning games to six.

Shepton Mallet came into this game in remarkably indifferent form. Usually they are pushing the top end of the table. But as with all derby games, form can often go out of the window.

But it was Rovers that started quickest when Kailan Gould shot wide in the first minute. That began a sustained period of pressure for the hosts but despite having most of the possession the Shepton defence held firm. Scoring chances came and went for both Kyle Witt and Kitan Jaiyeoba before the first goal came in the 35th minute. Wayne Nderemani, who had been a thorn in the side for Shepton from the off, made a strong run into the box before getting clattered over. He took the spot kick himself and made no mistake to put the home side ahead.

The hosts got their tails up and a great run by Jaiyeoba finding Kyle Witt in the box almost produced the second goal .A somewhat controversial moment came as the the half ended when Nderemani was brought down on the touchline. Martin Lenihan took the freekick quickly, shooting into the open net, seemingly catching out Shepton and spectators alike. The referee had no issue with the goal and it was given.

Rovers had been in full control of the first half with Shepton rarely troubling the hosts defence. However, they gave themselves a lifeline early in th second half when a well hit shot from JJ Littlewood seemed to catch out Sam Jepson in the Rovers goal.

Despite the setback, Rovers continued to press forward and looked the more likely to score again. In the 55th minute, Kyle Witt did brilliantly to muscle a long ball away from the Shepton defence, weave his way into the box to get a shot away. It was blocked but the ball only found Kailan Gould who smashed it into the net.

And still Rovers continued to dominate the play. Ten minutes later, more good work from Wayne Nderemani allowed him to get a good cross in from the left. The ball just eluded Kitan Jaiyeoba but ricocheted into an unfortunate defender who headed into his own net.

With a commanding lead, a raft of substitutions was made which possibly stunted Rovers play a little allowing Shepton to get a foothold with possession. With five minutes to go, they grabbed another goal when a shot from Ben Snell found its way under Jepson.

The game began to get a little fractious in the final minutes as Shepton sensed they may be able to grab another. Elliot Haffenden was sent off in added time for an off the ball incident but Rovers held out for another vital three points. Man of the Match (sponsored by JMF Plastering) was Wayne Nderemani.

It was Paulton’s tenth victory in 15 league matches and consolidated their second place in the division - but five teams are very much involved in the fight for top spot.

Jon Green