Old heads to rescue (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Old heads to rescue

Bredon 1, Bourton Rvrs 3

ELDER statesmen Kevin McPhilimey and Matthew Winter turned back the clock to provide the critical moments in a win that bounced Bourton back up to second in the table.

The former arrowed in a free-kick for Winter's headed opener, scored the second himself from an indirect free-kick and made the game safe with the third when he fired in the rebound from his own poorly hit penalty.

In what was a murky afternoon, the fading light not aided by a ridiculous 3pm start time, Rovers deserved their victory, but at times made hard-work of it.

Winter, shifting to centre-half to replace the absent Michael Hughes, excelled with his reading of the game throughout, illustrated when he moved forward to find space to head Rovers into a lead on the quarter-hour mark.

Pressed

Bredon pressed and won a series of free-kicks around the box, but other than a point-blank reaction stop from Andrew Herbert, struggled to make inroads.

Bourton's lead was doubled when Chris Mills caused enough panic in the home defence to ensure the keeper had to handle a back pass. Stuart Hughes touched the ball to McPhilimey who dispatched a low, deflected drive into the corner.

Bredon pulled a goal back ten minutes from time when Mike Preedy's cross was met by an excellently directed header from Neil Hooke.

Almost immediately, substitute James Luney was fouled in the corner of the penalty area and McPhilimey obliged at the second attempt.

Ben Close was introduced for the final 15 minutes for only sis second senior appearance and the 16-year-old showed enough promise to mean he could soon be threatening a permanent position in the starting line-up.

Having completed a hat-trick of wins against Bredon this term, Bourton play host to struggling St Marks on Saturday.

Rovers Reserves 1, Cheltenham CS Res 5

ROVERS missed a series of one-on-ones and three late goals gave a one-sided reflection to a more closely fought Cheltenham League Division Two game than the scoreline shows.

Kevin Hunt was on target for the home side, who went in 2-1 behind at the interval.