After the match officials deeemed the pitch playable, it was Bristol Manor Farm who edged the muddy affair, thanks to a first half goal by Jordan Metters.

On a difficult surface, it was Rovers who started the brightest, when in the first minute, Dale Evans curled a low shot towards the goal, only for the Manor Farm keeper, Ashley Clark, to palm to safety.

The decisive breakthrough came in the twelth minute, and it was the away side’s first real attack, as Troy Simpson got down the right flank and squared the ball to Jordan Matters twelve yards out, who slotted the ball home to give Manor Farm the lead. Just two minutes later, Rovers almost found the perfect response when the ball fell into the path of Josh Cann, but the left-midfielder fired his left-foot shot inches-wide.

Then, on the 24th minute, there was action at both ends, as firstly Manor Farm sprung the offside, producing a fine save from Rovers’ keeper, Andy Hannah, and then at the other end, when Liam Monelle hit a a powerful swerving shot from distance that the Manor Farm keeper again did well to keep out.

As the game moved into the second half, it was the home side looking the more likely to equalise, rather than the away side extending their lead, and the golden chance came in the 52nd, minute after Jack Ball pounced on a poorly-taken goal-kick and laid the ball into Josh Cann, who just couldn’t get his shot on target. Rovers continued to push, and eight minutes later, the away side had their keeper, Ashley Clark, to thank after a fingertip-save from Joe Guest when the ball looked goal-bound.

With Paulton now throwing all but the kitchen sink at Manor Farm, gaps were beginning to appear at the heart of the defence, and twice the away side had chances on the counter to put the game to bed, but some last-ditch defending by Mitch Tippins kept Rovers in with a chance. With Manor Farm defence holding strong, it was the away side who went home with three valuable points in their push for promotion.

Before the game, volunteer fans and ground staff helped get the pitch in the best possible condition after the referee deemed the pitch playable. A big thanks from the club to all those who helped. Steve Longden