Larkhall Athletic 2 Paulton Rovers 1

Persistent rain in the hours leading up to kick-off meant that the Plain Ham pitch was more suited to mud wrestling than football, and referee, Graham Pearce, only allowed the game to take place after a late inspection.

It meant that both teams had to cope with a difficult playing surface – great for tackling, but not so good for close control.

The first fifteen minutes or so saw chances at both ends – Ed Butcher fired over the bar for Rovers, while Larkhall’s Dan Demkiv shot just wide of a post. Paulton keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, saved bravely at the feet of Brad Norris and then David O’Hare headed against a post following Neil Martin’s great forward run and cross, as Rovers went close.

Gradually though, the home team’s big defenders and strong running forwards began to gain more control and Paulton were fortunate after 25 minutes when Demkiv somehow shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Influential midfielder, Owen Humphries, had a shot saved and then struck the top of the crossbar for the Larks while Ed Butcher, Liban Ibrahim and James Byrne combined well on the left to create chances for Rovers. However, after 38 minutes, Alex Lambert left two Rovers defenders sprawling in the mud before shooting past a helpless Sainsbury to put Larkhall one up.

Paulton’s O’Hare was unlucky to see his shot come back off the crossbar after more great play from Ibrahim, but Larkhall ended the half the stronger as Demkiv again went close and Sainsbury held on to a piledriver free kick from Michael Baker.

John Rendell made a tactical change at the start of the second half with Nuno Felix and then Nathan Brown joining proceedings. This brought Leighton Thomas and Will Harvey more into the game and Paulton looked threatening, but they were unable to outwit the Larks’ defence.

After 72 minutes, strong play by ex-Rovers player Norris resulted in substitute, Harry Simons, striking a low shot to Sainsbury’s left to make the score 2– 0 to Larkhall.

As the game wore on, Paulton began to have better possession, but too often the heavy pitch was a handicap for their neat build up play. Larkhall resorted to some heavy challenges, one of which, inflicted on Harvey, incensed the Paulton players. The culprit, Jack Goodall, duly received his marching orders. From the resulting free kick, Neil Martin’s fine shot needed a fingertip save by Shaun Semmens in the Larkhall goal.

Eventually, neat play from Thomas and Ibrahim set up a chance for Jack Ball to score with a shot into the top corner to reduce the arrears. From then on, Paulton exerted terrific pressure on the Larkhall defence, but were unable to find the equaliser their play deserved. At the death, Will Harvey evaded defenders to shoot agonisingly wide of the home goal.

It would be easy to blame the pitch for this result, but Larkhall adapted more quickly to the conditions with more direct play. It was a pity that Rovers took longer to find their feet, and didn’t quite get the draw their performance, certainly in the last twenty minutes, deserved.

Paulton Player of the Match: Liban Ibrahim – energetic and creative throughout.

Noel Avis