PAULTON Rovers, down to ten men for much of the game, clinched their place in the Jewson Western League play-off final by beating Clevedon Town 3-1 on a warm Saturday afternoon and in front of a great home crowd, writes Jon Green.

The opening minutes were tense and cagey and it was obvious that neither team wanted to give anything away early on. The first attempt in earnest came in the 6th minute when Dylan Gould hit a shot from distance that flew wide of the mark.

Five minutes later, Kitan Jaiyeoba used his quick feet to get himself round three tackles before passing into a channel for Stan Wyatt but the keeper just got there first.

The ball was bogged down in midfield mainly until the 19th minute when Rovers worked the ball around the box from a corner. It eventually fell to Max Williams who struck a volley from distance that seemed to fox the keeper. The ball dipped and went underneath the stopper who was left bemused as to what happened.

It was just what the game needed and it fired into life. After taking the lead, disaster seemed to be on the cards in the 24th minute when captain and caretaker boss Martin Lenihan was given a second yellow card and sent off after what appeared to be a challenge on a fifty fifty ball.

Rovers suddenly looked flustered and Clevedon took their chance. Jacob Sloggett picked up the ball on the left and cut into the box. He hit a low shot that somehow seemed to pass through a number of players before hitting the back of the net.

But Clevedon were only level for two minutes before Brandon put Rovers back in front. A long ball from defence fell to him and he turned his man before unleashing a perfect shot from outside the box that dipped under the bar.

Rovers now had the lead and again Clevedon began to push in the final minutes of the half. Jacob Sloggett went close again but they remained behind as the whistle went.

The second half began with an early substitution as Kitan Jaiyeoba had to be replaced. Already down to ten men, it was another blow. Clevedon, with the extra man, naturally saw a lot of the ball and nearly scored in the 55th minute but James Smallcombe made a great save to prevent Clevedon scoring again.

Rovers were often defending with backs to the wall but restricted Clevedon to half chances and were making dangerous breaks themselves. Max Williams was often the outlet and combined well with substitute Krystian Woods to keep Clevedon on the back foot.

The combination worked again in the 76th minute when Williams sent Woods clear. He held up the ball in the box only to have it nicked off him. But the ball fell to Will Osborne who curled in a sublime shot from the edge of the box.

The crowd went wild but there was still work to do. Clevedon were still seeing much of the possession but Rovers were matching them and Smallcombe was only troubled a couple more times before the final whistle. Cue the celebrations!

Paulton now go on to host Sidmouth Town, who beat Torpoint Athletic 2-0 away in the other play-off match, at The Winterfield Stadium this coming Saturday (3p.m.).