PAULTON ROVERS U18’s 5 v 1 WESTON SUPER MARE U18’s

Paulton Rovers U18’s had not played for over a month and were looking forward to hosting Weston Super Mare in the Roger Stone Memorial Cup on Thursday evening at the First4Pools Stadium at Winterfield Road.

The game started with the young Weston side on the front foot pressing high up the field, however it was Paulton Rovers who found the net first through Carter Bailey who received the ball unmarked in the box and slotting home well to take the lead.

The Weston number 9 caused a number of problems getting in behind the Paulton defence and after escaping the offside flag he found the equaliser with a well timed run and a calm finish.

Paulton started to get control of possession and found themselves attacking well through Harrison Newman & Tom Ovigne, minutes later Newman did well inside the box to create space and finished excellently in the far corner for the home side to once again have the advantage.

Paulton now on the front foot created a number of chances, Newman again causing problems was fouled inside the box, only to hit the remaining penalty off the crossbar.

Ovigne was next on the scoresheet after firing the ball home from an excellent Will R through ball to make it 3-1.

Second half started, and both teams were still playing high intensity football and creating chances at both ends. It was Ovigne who again found a breakthrough, finishing well after some brilliant build up play from Bailey.

Despite Weston’s best efforts and change of formation to get back into the game, the Paulton defence stood firm and managed to counter attack well.

Ben Smith found himself through on goal 1 on 1 with the keeper and was denied by a fantastic save from the visiting keeper who tipped the ball onto the post.

Moments later, Jack Jenkin found himself with a similar opportunity, the goalkeeper again doing well however this time the ball went just inside the post to give the debutant his first goal in the Floodlit League and making the score 5-1.

A fantastic game of football, some excellent finishing from Paulton, however credit to the young Weston side who didn’t give up until the final whistle.

Paulton will play Odd Down FC at Home in the Quarter Final in February.