PAULTON Rovers were beaten 2-0 at home by local rivals Westbury United in Division One South of the Southern League, in their latest match, after going down to ten men for the second time in three games, writes Jon Green.

With Westbury riding high in the league and in good form, this was always going to be a tough game for the home side. Straight from the first whistle, United took the lions share of possession. Rovers defended stoutly though and kept the visitors chances from mounting up.

The first of their chances came in only the fourth minute with a header that went wide from a freekick. While Rovers’ keeper Archie Matthews was not being unduly tested, Rovers were labouring to get the ball forward themselves to create anything.

It took until the 19th minute to open up Westbury’s defence. Brandon Bak split the defence and found Tyller Davies-Whitlock who charged into the box with the keeper saving at his feet at the crucial moment.

Moments later, Sid Partridge launched a ball to the far post. It seemed to be a cross but ended up heading goalwards. The keeper stretched and just kept the ball out. That was the extent of Rovers good chances in the first half and from then on it was Westbury pressing.

The hosts managed to keep the ball out until half-time and were still in the game. Things went wrong early in the second half. A ball from the right led to a melee in the box which resulted in a red card for Jack Dancey and a penalty for Westbury.

Dancey was carded for deliberately handling the ball off the line but the decision was controversial because it appeared that Archie Matthews had been kicked in the chest in the build up. The penalty was duly despatched by Witcombe giving the visitors the leading the 49th minute.

Paulton were now very much up against it, being reduced by a man again for the second time in three games. However, the defending practise they got from that game meant that they rarely had to resort to back to the wall tactics.

Westbury, despite having more of the ball, couldn’t fashion a game winning opening. However, Rovers were not making much of their possession either and other than a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions, could not test the keeper.

It took until added time in the 92nd minute for Westbury to breakthrough again. A ball from the right found Will Taylor free in the box who was able to steer the ball in.

It was a disappointing result for Paulton but mainly down to the way it happened rather the result itself. It means they are now in 18th spot, just above the relegation zone which is occupied by Melksham Town, Bristol Manor Farm, Slimbridge and Larkhall Athletic.

Rovers head for Exmouth, who are lying in 16th place, on Saturday, November 7, hoping to pick themselves up again.

In other results, leaders Swindon Supermarine thrashed Melksham Town 6-0 at home to open up a three-point lead over second-placed Weymouth who lost 2-1 at home to Tiverton Town before the weekend’s biggest crowd in the division of nearly 800. Dorchester Town, in third place, also lost ground after they went down 3-2 at home to Portland United.