Preview by Jon Green
Hard on the heels of playing three games against play-off chasing teams, we now face another as we welcome Cribbs to The Winterfield Stadium on Saturday!
Cribbs have had a great first season in The Southern League Division One under the guidance of Richard Luffman. They currently site 3rd in the table and have remained at the top end of the table for the majority of the season. Its somewhat surprising then to see that they have only won one of their previous six matches. That being a 1 - 0 over Melksham on Tuesday evening. The other results in the run include three draws and two losses. Luffman stood down for family reasons two weeks ago and has been replaced by Steve Murray. Murray was playing with Cribbs earlier in the season but had a short spell with Wells City before returning to Bristol.
Saturday's scoreless draw with Bideford was our third consecutive draw in a row. It was a game that saw us create enough openings to score and with some more clinical finishing would have seen us take all three points that, arguably, we deserved. It was certainly a very positive performance, as were the previous two against Bemerton Heath and Evesham. We now need to take the next step!
The boss, Richard Fey, told me:
"Following three great draws against teams in the top six, we now face another team in Cribbs sat third in the table and having a great season. Congratulations to them for virtually assuring their play-off spot. They have a new manager whom I know very well and recently travelled together to watch Everton. Muz will be desperate to further cement the play-off place so we’re going to have to be at our best to get something again. The lads have been brilliant since we walked through the door and with recent new signings Brad Norris, Jake Mawford and Rob Hobbs now available for the rest of the season it strengthens us.
I must mention the support in our last home game was brilliant, especially the young local lads, so I’m calling on your all to get behind us again as we need you!"
Jake Mawford is an experienced winger that has played at Street, Barnstaple and Cirencester and under Richard at both Bridgwater and Melksham. Rob Hobbs is a central midfielder and also very experienced at this level having played with both Frome, Melksham and Larkhall. Please welcome both to Paulton Rovers!
Winterfield Road entry prices:
Adult £10.00*
Concessions £8.00*
U18 £3.00
U12 FREE (with paying adult)
*£2 discount for current member loyalty card holders
Please purchase tickets at our well stocked bar in the club before entry. Available up until kick-off. Not available on the gate.
Winterfield Stadium
Winterfield Road
Paulton
Bristol
BS39 7RF