FLEET TOWN 2 PAULTON ROVERS 3
Paulton grabbed a win, but should have had the game sown up by half-time.
In the third minute, Mitch Tippins met Dale Evans’ right-wing corner, and his lob scraped the far post. Rovers went ahead on ten minutes, after a long clearance from keeper, Rob Brown, saw his opposite number, Harvey White, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, rush out, and Ben Withey headed past him into an empty net.
Paulton added a second two minutes later, as Jordan Lovibond was fouled on the left, and Evans’s free-kick was headed home by right-back, Joe Hillard. Hillard could have had a hat-trick, missing two glorious chances, before Liam Monelle looked to score a third, only to bring a fine save from White.
Fleet made three substitutions at half-time to no avail, as Rovers fired umpteen shots, with Monelle twice going wide, although Brown was alert to flick away a Joe Wilson free-kick. Monelle was fouled on 59 minutes and Tippins hit a dipping free-kick 25 yards to make it 3-0. A cross by Matt Deadfield was then headed home by Abdul Rajab to reduce the deficit.
Paulton brought on seventeen-year-old youth team player, Ali Sen, who linked well with Aysa Corrick and Jack Ball, playing his first match this season after a long-term injury and should have capped his return with a good chance.
Brown saved well from Mensa Williams, and with ten minutes left, Amarni Bonsah headed a Wilson cross to give Rovers a nervous time. With one minute left, Williams broke down the left and drove a powerful drive that was tipped over by Brown.
Star Man of the Match: Mitch Tippins, Paulton Rovers.
Tony Walsh