THATCHAM TOWN 1 PAULTON ROVERS 0

PAULTON ROVERS 2 STREET 4

A ninetieth-minute goal sank Paulton in a scrappy game that they deserved at least one point from.

Rob Brown was sharp out of goal to stop Shane Cooper-Clark, the Thatcham striker who scored at Wembley when his side won the FA Vase Final.

Rovers left-back, Camen Harvey, was yellow-carded after an accidental foul on Lewis Coyle, and minutes later, Coyle exacted revenge with a deliberate foul and was lucky only to be shown a yellow. Brown then saved well from Cooper-Clark, and Mitch Tippins bravely headed away for a corner as the Kingfishers pressed.

Neither side showed any endeavour for the first fifteen minutes, until Brown’s goal-kick found Rovers’ centre-forward, Jack Ball, who chipped narrowly wide.

The lively Ewon Elliott down the left wing posed problems for the Paulton defence – a constant threat – and twice drove fierce free-kicks, well held by Brown. On the ninetieth minute, Tom Moran broke on the left, and his cross was turned in at the far post by sub, Adam Kelly. A bitter disappointment to a large Rovers travelling support.

On Wednesday’s match, Street grabbed a first-minute goal as Steve Murray flicked home a cross from the left by Lewis Waldy.

Waldy was lucky only to receive a yellow card on ten minutes, as Jay Malpas found Ryan Gay as the Rovers striker bore down on goal.

Paulton were grateful to some confident defending from debutant eighteen-year-old, Cormac Pike, at left-back. The former Millfield School Captain is back in Somerset from his scholarship in the USA for the festive period. Murray broke away, only for his shot to hit straight at Paulton keeper, Rob Brown.

The Cobblers added a second on eighteen minutes, as Jamie Short’s free-kick on the left was headed on by skipper, Ben Amghar, and turned home by Foster. Rovers’ attempts to pull a goal back were thwarted by robust defending, giving Gay and Jack Ball few opportunities.

Paulton started the second half in a determined mood, and within a minute were awarded a penalty, as Liam Monelle was felled, and Ball converted the spot kick. As Rovers pressed, Street made it 3-1, as keeper, Liam Kingston’s goal-kick was fastened onto by Murray, who rounded Brown to slot home.

The game became scrappy, with little falling to both sides. However, the visitors added a fourth on the 84th minute, as Waldy’s right-wing corner was caught by Brown, who appeared to be fouled by Ormorod, who bundled the ball into the net.

Rovers scored a consolation in the ninetieth minute, as Monelle was fouled and Evans’ free-kick from 25 yards sailed past Kingston into the net. A poor display by a struggling Paulton side.

Tony Walsh