Paulton Rovers 1 Bristol Manor Farm 3

Paulton started this fixture knowing that they had beaten the Farm twice in the previous week. However, it should have been no surprise that the Bristol team were intent on revenge from the outset.

After five minutes, strong running by Kyle Tooze led to a snap shot by Leigh-Gilchrist, while there was an early booking for shirt pulling by Jayden Neilsen. Paulton were struggling to combat the aggressive tackling and tough mental approach of their opponents. Paulton keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, needed to make an important save from

Michael Bryant.

However, Rovers soon began to find some rhythm and pattern. Leighton Thomas was causing problems for Farm’s big centre backs with outstanding heading and fine ball control. It was Thomas who benefitted from a determined run by Captain Ed Butcher to plant a firm shot past Ben John to give Rovers a 1–0 lead.

Paulton were enjoying a period of dominance as Thomas and Butcher, aided by Will Harvey and Liban Ibrahim, went close to adding further goals.

After 30 minutes though, Tooze was adjudged to have been hauled down by Leighton Tuodolo as they challenged for a high bouncing ball, and a penalty was awarded. The league’s leading scorer, Owen Howe, made no mistake to equalise for the Farm.

But Paulton’s play was becoming more expansive and direct and the Bristolians resorted to more and more agricultural tackles in order to contain Butcher and Thomas. Minutes later from a Neil Martin free kick, Thomas again leapt beyond the Farm defenders, but his header went agonisingly wide. Great play by Tuodolo and Butcher ended with Harvey just missing at the far post.

Play became scrappy at the start of the second period. Through balls from both teams were overstruck or missed their targets and were easily dealt with by the defenders. Crosses were comfortably handled by both goalkeepers. There was a lot of heading tennis.

After 49 minutes, though, Ed Butcher controlled the ball beautifully and sent over a cross which a stretching Thomas could only send over the bar. Soon after, Leighton Thomas had to be substituted due to a knee problem. This was a major turning point in the game and Paulton found it difficult from then on to penetrate Farm’s strong rearguard.

Tuodolo set up Ibrahim for a shot which was pushed away for a corner and Howe shot into the side netting. After 60 minutes Paulton’s Butcher pounced on a defensive error and ran free and seemed certain to score, but a last ditch challenge from Neilsen saw the chance come to nothing.

There was a sense of unease in the home crowd though and a feeling that the Bristol players were gaining the upper hand. Sure enough, after 72 minutes their fears were realised as, following some pinball in the Rovers penalty area, Lloyd Mills forced the ball home to put his team 2–1 in front.

Just five minutes later, Tuodolo who had defended well throughout, tripped Leigh-Gilchristin the penalty area and was, somewhat harshly, dismissed for two yellow cards. Howe again stepped up to beat Sainsbury to his right from the resulting spot kick.

In truth, Aaron Sainsbury was largely untroubled. Paulton were outmuscled by Bristol Manor Farm, whose aggression earned them two quite harsh penalty decisions.

Rovers continued to try to take the game to their opponents and made several changes, but being a man down and lacking the influential Thomas up front, were unable to change the course of the game. Bristol Manor Farm comfortably held out to win 3–1.

Paulton Man of the Match: Ed Butcher – always a threat on the left with incisive running.

Noel Avis