PAULTON ROVERS 3 WILLAND ROVERS 2

Paulton welcomed Devon side, Willand Rovers, in what fulfilled its promise to be a thrilling encounter.

Paulton’s first home game of the season provided fine entertainment under a moonlit summer sky. Willand showed their intention from the start, with strong running forwards McCann and Jagger Cane causing problems for the home defence.

Paulton responded as Jak Sloggett provided a chance for Leighton Thomas, but the Willand keeper saved bravely at his feet.

However, Willand were the stronger side at this point and Richards was inches away from putting his side in front with a fine strike.

Paulton threatened occasionally and after a fine run by Sloggett, Dan Cottle’s effort was saved.

After 27 minutes, Willand were awarded a free kick some twenty yards from the Paulton goal and Alfie Mouldon struck the ball sweetly to give them the lead.

Immediately Cottle was fouled, but Ed Butcher drove the resulting free kick into the wall. Willand’s right back, Josh Searle, was becoming increasingly dangerous with his forward runs and he tested goalkeeper, Aaron Sainsbury, more than once.

However, somewhat against the run of play, a strong run into the area by Thomas gave him the chance to strike a fine goal to equalise for Rovers. This gave the home team confidence and they created more chances, but it was Willand who shaded the first half which ended 1–1.

The second half started with more end to end play, with Burton saving from Thomas and Sainsbury denying the dangerous Jagger Cane.

After 49 minutes, Mouldon struck a fine goal after clever control and movement from the marauding Searle to give Willand a 2–1 lead.

Paulton again responded brightly, creating several opportunities. Trey Anderson fired a shot agonisingly wide. However, Cottle was tripped in the opposition penalty area and Thomas smashed the spot kick past Burton in the visitors’ goal to equalise again.

Paulton were in the ascendancy and following great work by Sloggett, Thomas turned the ball home to give Paulton the lead for the first time after seventy minutes.

The centre forward had a great chance to score his fourth after being put through by substitute, Nathan Brown, but the shot went wide.

Willand threw everything at Paulton to try to rescue the game, but Captain Braeden Symes rallied the troops. With strong tackling and great headed clearances by Paulton’s solid defenders and a slice of luck when a Willand cross shot hit the foot of a post, Paulton withstood the pressure to record a fine 3–2 win.

Both teams contributed to a great match, refereed with assurance and calm by Ben Duffill and his assistant. Man of the Match: Leighton Thomas (Paulton Rovers) – a fine hat trick!

Tony Walsh