DESPITE struggling to create chances for most of the game, Paulton Rovers came away from Barnstaple with a splendid 2-1 away win in Division One South of the Southern League, writes Jon Green.
A good run of form had seen Paulton undefeated before making the journey to Barnstaple and the opening minutes saw them doing most of the work in the hosts half. Although they were unable to test the keeper, Rovers looked like the team more likely to make the breakthrough.
But disaster struck in the 22nd minute when the ball was given away cheaply allowing Barnstaple to break down the right. The ball came into the box and reached Luke Mortimore who was able to spin and shoot past Archie Matthews. The goal lifted the home team and they went close soon after with a header.
And Barnstaple looked the team most likely to score the next goal. Rovers best chance of the half came in the 31st minute when Dylan Gould found Brandon Bak but his shot flew wide of the post.
For the first 25 minutes or so of the second half, Barnstaple again made the most of the running. However, they were unable to create a really good clear-cut chance and Matthews was barely tested.
Rovers equaliser, however, changed the game. Martin Lenihan powered forward, picking out Bak on the edge of the box. He turned his man and powered a shot past the keeper.
And their winning goal came only eight minutes later. Rovers won a corner and the ball came out to Cam Allen. His cross found Bak who crossed to the far post. Tom Bradley was unlucky not to turn the ball in but it bounced out to Jack Dancey who’s initial shot was blocked but it came back to him and he beautifully lifted the ball back in over the keeper.