Bourton Rovers 1, Soudley 0.

BOURTON Rovers grabbed their first win since September in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two with a home triumph over Soudley.

For Rovers, there were first starts this season for goalkeeper Vic Burrell, Craig Gilson and Scott Mosson, while Matt Winter was back after an eight-week absence.

In an even first-half, there were few chances with both defences playing well.

Forest of Dean-based Soudley only had one shot at goal which Burrell saved easily and Rovers’ best chance fell to Duncan Habbitts when a superb cross from Kevin Hunt only had to be nodded into an empty net, but the former totally missed the ball.

The second-half was more open with both teams trying to attack more, Hunt headed off the line when it looked certain the ball was going in after a superb shot from a Soudley midfielder. Winter then blocked a goalbound effort.

Bourton took the lead with 12 minutes remaining when right-back Mosson ran onto a loose ball and mis-kicked the ball over the visiting keeper and into the roof of the net.

For the last 10 minutes, the visitors piled on the pressure, but centre-backs Gilson and Winter both made last-ditch challenges.

Burrell pulled off a superb save to give Bourton a much-needed victory.

On Saturday, Rovers travel to Cam Bulldogs for their latest league clash (ko 2pm).