Paulton Rovers 2 Highworth Town 3

Paulton suffered a second successive home defeat as visitors Highworth twice came from behind to take the points.

On a sunny, sleepy September afternoon, Paulton were immediately woken up as Highworth’s centre forward, Rhys Wells, rattled the crossbar after a sharp cross from the right.

However, Paulton were starting to impose themselves on the game and Lee Ibrahim, making one of several great runs, chose to pass when he might have taken responsibility himself and an excellent chance was lost.

In the tenth minute, and totally against the run of play, Highworth forward, Felipe Barcelos, sidestepped two players and then shot confidently past the exposed Aaron Sainsbury in the Paulton goal.

A stunned Rovers team quickly set about trying to find an equaliser. Fine ball control and an inviting cross by Jake Sloggett just evaded the onrushing Paulton forwards, while Ed Butcher saw his fine cross shot well cleared.

Finally, after twenty minutes, Paulton deservedly equalised when Ibrahim set up Ed Butcher to blast a shot from fully 25 yards to beat a motionless Conor Thompson in the Highworth goal. It was a typical Butcher strike.

Adam Kelly and new signing, Leighton Tuodolo were making telling forward runs into the opposition half and it wasn’t long before Ibrahim set up David O’Hare for a fine shot from outside the area to make the score 2–1 to Rovers.

From this point though, Highworth gradually assumed more and more control, with Sean Wood in particular causing problems on the right. The dangerous and skilful Barcelos took advantage of some hesitancy in the Paulton defence to score an equaliser for Highworth. Then only a magnificent tackle by Kelly prevented Highworth scoring again.

Paulton started the second half well and Butcher showed great balance to beat two Highworth defenders and the goalkeeper. Only a goalline clearance saved a certain goal.

However, Highworth’s attacking strategy led to a Barcelos cross which Sainsbury could only palm into the path of Wells, who gleefully accepted the chance to put Highworth 3–2 up.

From then on, Paulton huffed and puffed, but were unable to get enough support to Leighton Thomas or to attack in large enough numbers to create any clear goal-scoring opportunities.

Despite promising debuts from youth team player, seventeen-year-old Joe Paradise, Kyle Anderson and Leighton Tuodolo, Paulton could not find that telling pass that was needed in order to break a resolute Highworth defence.

On Wednesday, Paulton play Highworth again at Winterfield, this time in the League Cup. They will need to improve the speed and accuracy of their passing in their forward play in order to prevail.

Paulton Man of the Match: Liban Ibrahim – the player most likely to create an opening.

The game was officiated with confidence by Ryan Saward and his Assistants.

On Thursday night the Youth Team are home in the FA Youth Cup to Portishead Town, kick-off 7.30 pm.

This Saturday, 18th September, the First Team travel to big spending, newly-promoted Plymouth Parkway, kick-off 3 pm.

The coach leaves the club at 10.30 am and supporters wishing to travel should add their name to the list in the clubhouse.

The Reserves are home in the Mid Somerset League to Glastonbury Reserves, kick-off 2 pm, whilst on Sunday, the Ladies’ Team are home to Portishead, kick-off at

2 pm. Noel Avis