PAULTON Rovers were denied a home victory over Sidmouth in a 1-1 draw by a stubborn defence in a Jewson Western League first division game which was littered with controversial decisions.

After a good start for Sidmouth that saw them hold most of the possession for the first few minutes, the first chance fell for Rovers. Elliot Hafrenden, fresh from his four goals earlier in the week in the Somerset Premier Cup, stole the ball deep in Sidmouth territory and fed the ball to Kailan Gould but his shot was deftly saved by Elliot Driver, the visitor’s keeper. It was the first of a number of crucial saves he was to make during the game. Gould had another chance in the 15th minute when he cut in from the right, beating two men, but he curled his shot just wide.

The games most controversial moment came five minutes later when Sid Partridge was adjudged to have hauled down Jamie Vaughan-Ryall in the Paulton penalty area. It was an incredibly soft decision and left the supporters stunned. Captain Isaac Furness stepped up and took the penalty which went in off the post for a 1-0 scoreline to the visitors.

Undeterred, Paulton pushed on again and Kailan Gould repaid Haffenden for his earlier pass by threading a great ball through to the striker but again Driver made a good save.

Paulton continued to dominate the chances through to half time, limiting Sidmouth to just two other shots before the break. One final chance of the half fell for Kyle Witt as he had a shot from the right hand side of the box but the ball flew just over.

The supporters gave their opinions on the referee as they left the field and the penalty decision was the talk of halftime.

The equaliser nearly came just three minutes into the second half when Ricky Scott moved up from right back, picked up the ball and charged into the box only to see his shot saved and pushed onto the post. It wasn’t long before the equaliser did arrive. In the 50th minute, Kailan Gould swung in a free kick from the right which Driver plucked out of the air only to inexplicably fumble the ball into his own net.

The home team were spurred on thinking that the winner should now come. Subtitute Dylan Gould went close in the 70th minute. Five minutes later Elliot Haffenden went close again after a cross from Kailan Gould.

Rovers kept the pressure up right up to the end with Sidmouth barely making any impression at the other end but the ball just wouldn’t find its way in.

It was a game that Paulton will feel they dropped two points rather than snatching a point and will also look back at a number of baffling decisions by the referee!

Kailan Gould was named man of the match after his goal, work rate and involvement in Rovers’ best moves.

Jon Green