Keeper Phillips’ penalty heroics send Rovers wild

NO player will be more grateful to the FA Cup this week than Steve Phillips.

The Bristol Rovers goalkeeper has used the competition to win over supporters and build a reputation as one of England’s top penalty stoppers.

Last week he saved from Fulham’s Jimmy Bullard as Rovers won a shoot-out to book a place in round four. Then, at Underhill on Saturday, he made a decisive third-minute penalty save from Jason Puncheon.

Phillips has been with Paul Trollope’s side for 18 months, but after 10 years with rivals Bristol City, it has not been an easy move. His heroics over the past week have certainly built bridges.

“I came to the football club after a decade at Ashton Gate,” he said. “There were a few eyebrows raised, even mine, and I had to take a lot of encouraging to come to this club and it’s worked out brilliantly for me.

“The fans could easily have said ‘He’s come from the other club in Bristol, we’ll clap him when he does well and that’s it’ but they haven’t. They’ve got on my side.

“I’m not being big-headed, I’ve done okay since I’ve been here — the fans appreciate what I try and do and what I’m about. They’re different class, that’s all I can say.

“I’ve saved a few penalties — and probably none more important for the club than the other night. It’s great fun!

“I’ve got this certain thing I do, I go certain ways for certain people and sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. But dive the right way and it comes off.

“I hadn’t researched Jason Puncheon because he didn’t take one the other night against Swindon. I think they missed too many before he could take one. Luckily for me he put it the right way!”

League One Rovers are the lowest-ranked side left in the FA Cup, but Barnet — currently wallowing in the nether reaches of League Two — dominated the first half and could have earned another famous victory, had Puncheon and Cliff Akurang not wasted chances.

Rovers’ Lambert had a first-half shot tipped onto the bar by Lee Harrison but the striker still opened the scoring on 49 minutes. David Pipe crossed from the right and Lambert produced a brave diving header inside the six-yard box.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough was disappointed his side did not capitalise on their dominance. “That first half performance was the best since I’ve been manager,” he said. “There was clever play, movement and they deserved something.”

BARNET (4-5-1): Harrison 6, Devera 6, Bishop 7, Yakubu 6, Nicolau 6 (Birchall 69, 5), Puncheon 6, Porter 6, Carew 5 (Thomas 69, 5), Gillet 6, Wright 6, Akurang 5 (Grazioli 82, 5).

Subs Not Used: Hendon, O’Cearuill.

BRISTOL ROVERS (4-4-2): Phillips 8, Lescott 6, Hinton 5, Coles 6, Jacobson 6, Pipe 7 (Igoe 65, 5), Campbell 6, Disley 6, Lines 6, Lambert 8 (Walker 85, 5), Williams 6 (Rigg 80, 5).

Subs Not Used: Carruthers, Anthony.

REFEREE: Steve Bennett (Kent) 6: Correct to award Barnet one penalty but might have given another for hand-ball.

MATCH RATING: *** Barnet were excellent in the first half but paid for their profligacy.