Football: Taverners - 1 Bourton Rovers - 0 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Football: Taverners - 1 Bourton Rovers - 0

A GOAL midway through the second half put paid to a brave Bourton effort in their bid to put the shackles on the championship challengers from Nailsworth.

The critical moment in Saturdays Northern Senior League encounter came after a poor goal kick from Herbert was immediately returned to the Roves area and under pressure an outstretched Taverners foot looped the ball back over the head of the Bourton stopper.

It was a heavy penalty for Herberts one poor clearance, because everything else the Stroud side had thrown at him was dealt with a calm authority, the highlight being a terrific point blank double save at the start of the second half.

Bourton were on the back foot from the first whistle and after defending stoutly for much of the game, and with the fog reining in, it had begun to look as if they might be able to force a point out of their well-drilled but increasingly frustrated opponents.

Despite their constant possession, Taverners were restricted to long range efforts and high hopeful crosses, and their relief was evident when finally the deadlock was broken.

Once the goal went in there was only going to be one winner. Bourton for their part offered little attacking threat all afternoon. First Daniel Luney and then substitute Mark Gainford bravely ploughed lone furrows up front, but were offered little opportunity to make an impact.

Luneys one chance came when he was superbly played in by Hudson, but he saw his flashing drive go wide of the near post. Gainford, drafted in from the seconds, had a run on goal in the dying seconds, but couldnt get enough weight behind his finish.

The game had started in somewhat bizarre fashion. Both teams had a similar Royal Blue kit, and there were some concerns over a clash of colours. As it was what clash there was made little impact on proceedings. As one Bourton player remarked on leaving the pitch, "It didnt really matter. You could always tell the Taverners players - because they were the ones with the ball!"

Saturday also saw a very rare event - Bourtons Reserves playing a Cheltenham League fixture. Unfortunately their first game in 2002 ended on an unhappy note. After encouragingly holding the league leaders Smiths Athletic for an hour of the game they capitulated to a final score line of five nil.

This week Rovers firsts take on forest side Broadwell Amateurs. All support is welcome at Rissington Road for what is expected to be lively Northern Senior League encounter.