Paulton went down at Larkhall Athletic after taking the lead last Saturday, before being pegged-back by a poor penalty decision.
Early pressure from Larkhall saw Mike Baker’s dipping shot tipped over the bar by Rovers’ keeper, AJ Sesay. On ten minutes, Liam Monelle was fouled, and Josh Morgan-Williams’ free kick whistled low past the home goal.
‘Larks’’ lively striker, Greg Peel, threatened well, marshalled by Joe Hillard and Sam Hedges in the heart of the visitors’ defence. Paulton took the lead from Jack Ball’s shot, parried by keeper, Chris Humphries, and turned into the net by Dave Sims on fifteen minutes.
Sesay was out sharply to smother the ball from a Peel attack. Then, Joe Tumelty thought he had levelled, but it was disallowed for a foul on Hillard. The ‘Larks’ equalised after 29 minutes. Tumelty hit a pile-driver, which hit Hillard on the shoulder, and after the home side appealed, the referee awarded the spot kick. Tumelty converted as Rovers’ keeper, AJ Sesay, so nearly got a hand low-down to his right.
Rovers had to withstand a flood of attacks, with Peel’s shot blocked and a dangerous cross from Cory Simpson. Just before half-time, Monelle limped off and Tyrone Tucker-Dixon came on as a substitute. Sesay had a busy start to the second half, saving from Baker, then tipping over Peel’s shot that was heading for the top right hand corner of the net. The striker then tested Sesay again.
The winner for Larkhall came on 66 minutes, as Tumelty’s short free kick saw Jay Simpson’s shot blocked, and the ball fell to Matt Britton, who curled a lovely volley. Morgan-Williams thought he had levelled as he turned and shot narrowly over the bar, after good work by James Byrne and Joe Guest. Byrne’s free kick was headed on by Ball, and Sims had a great chance to score.
In the last minute, Guest, Sims and Ball had consecutive shots blocked on the goal line by Jay Adams and Matt Guy, as Paulton Manager, John Rendell, saw his side go home empty-handed.
Tony Walsh