PAULTON Rovers, without a game since their splendid victory at Clevedon six weeks ago, were not at their best as they slumped to a 3-2 home defeat against Ivybridge Town in the Jewson Western League’s Les Phillips Cup, writes Jon Green.

Rovers eventually went out of this quarter-final tie against an Ivybridge team that looked more determined to win the game.

Both teams were understandably a little rusty in the opening minutes although Ivybridge looked a little sharper, having played a couple of times since Rovers last game on the 3rd January.

The first chance fell to Ivybridge in the 7th minute when Josh Johnson weaved into the box and got a shot away that on loan keeper, Theo Wynne, had to be smart to stop.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when another good run by Johnson opened up Rovers. He fed Jake Smelt who swept the ball in from the edge of the box.

Rovers reacted quickly and replied almost immediately. Good work by Kitan Jaiyeoba on the right allowed him to cross the ball perfectly for Wayne Nderemani to turn in from inside the six yard box. The game turned a little stale as both teams tried to cope with the pitch that was cutting up after the bad weather of recent weeks.

It took until the 30th minute for Rovers to mount another concerted effort to score. Three scoring chances came and went in two minutes as Kyle Witt, Kitan Jaiyeoba and Wayne Nderemani all missed good opportunites.

The 39th minute saw Wynne having to make another good stop from a Jake Smelt freekick. Moments later Kitan Jaiyeoba was sent clear through and after beating the keeper saw his shot stopped on the line by some last ditch defending.

A controversial moment followed soon after when Wayne Nderemani was bundled over. It was close to a penalty and possibly a red card for a last man challenge but it was adjudged to be just outside and a yellow card was given.

There was not much to choose between the sides at half time but Ivybridge came out in the second half looking the more determined outfit. It took just two minutes for them to extend the lead. Rovers failed to clear the ball properly and Ryan Smith blasted a shot into the net from the penalty spot area after the ball fell kindly for him following a Rovers challenge on an Ivybridge player.

Rovers laboured to respond this time and struggled to produce any clear cut chances of any note. Ivybridge extended the lead even further in the 72rd minute when an unmarked Kai Burrell turned in a cross from the right. This time the hosts did up their game somewhat and following a number of substitutions, looked to stay upping the pressure. The Ivybridge defence stood firm though and a late goal fired in from outside the box by Dan McBeam was not enough to save Rovers from exiting the cup.

Despite weeks of inactivity, Paulton remain handily placed in the Premier Division - and will be looking to maintain the pressure at the top of the table when they play at home to Buckland Athletic, who are themselves still in with a chance of promotion, on Saturday, February 21, with a 3p.m. kick-off.