LARKHALL ATHLETIC 1 PAULTON ROVERS 3

A resolute second-half performance saw Rovers take all three points. After an even first half, Rovers grabbed the initiative with a well-taken Ben Bament penalty.

Ed Butcher sent Bament through, but this shot was blocked for a corner, which Butcher took and home keeper, Sean Semmens, spilt with no-one following up.

Lewis Powell had the first chance for the ‘Larks’ with a header, although he was well marshalled throughout by Captain, Charlie Hitchings, and Joe Hillard stepping into central defence for the absent Craig Allan. For the home side, Alex Lambert played a one-two with Ollie Morris, but his shot was well-held by Paulton keeper Joe Perry.

On 36 minutes, Rovers supporters thought they had gone ahead as Cam Shorney laid a lovely ball out to left winger, Butcher, whose thunderous shot was tipped onto the inside of the post by Semmens, only to bounce away.

However, two minutes later, Dave Sims-Burgess cut in from the right, and as he bore down on goal, he was brought down by the home skipper, Mike Baker, and Bament did the honours from the penalty spot.

From the outset of the second half, Rovers upped their game as Ryan Gay was played in by Bament, and his low drive was spilled by Semmens. Butcher was first to react, only to inextricably shoot wide.

On 54 minutes, Paulton went 2-0 up as Man of the Match, Hillard, intercepted a pass in his own half and broke fully thirty yards forward to find Gay, who turned and saw his bobbling shot evade Semmens to nestle in the net.

Sims-Burgess crossed and Gay rose, only to head over the bar. This spurred Rovers on, and left back, Nuno Felix (who was having a fine game), sent his right back colleague, Ben Withey, forward to shoot narrowly wide.

The third goal came on 69 minutes, as stopper, Perry, turned provider with a long free-kick from his own area, sailing over the home defence. Sims-Burgess latched onto the ball and drove firmly across Semmens’ goal from the right to tuck into the left-hand corner of the net. Perry then pulled off two fine saves first from sub, Geraint Bater, then from Powell low to his left.

Rovers were disappointed as The Larks grabbed a consolation goal in the 86th minute as the lively Wayne Nderemani latched onto a loose ball to score in similar fashion to Paulton’s third goal.

The win cements Paulton’s third place ahead of this Saturday’s home game against Barnstaple Town; kick-off 3 p.m.

Tony WalshCORSHAM TOWN U18s 2 PAULTON ROVERS U18s 1With both teams having the opportunity to go top of the League on the night, the players prepared well and started the game with plenty of energy.With only five minutes played, Corsham took an early lead from a free-kick. A fantastic ball was delivered into the box from the left and was met by an unmarked Corsham head at the back post.The lead lasted two minutes, as Paulton equalised through Lucas Hawkins, who pressed the Corsham goalkeeper well and won the ball before slotting it away into an empty net.Both teams continued to create chances, Corsham playing very direct with three strikers all running in behind and causing problems for the Paulton defence. Paulton did have opportunities to take the lead, with Jake Curtis missing from close range after a great cross from Hawkins. Michael Williams also had a great chance, only for his effort to go wide of the far post.Eventually, Paulton managed to put the ball into the back of the net through Archie Blacker, only for the goal to be ruled out as offside.Just before the half-time break, Corsham took the lead. Again, finding themselves in behind the Paulton defence, appeals for offside were waved away as the ball was slotted past the oncoming Sean Salter to make the score 2-1 to the home team at half-time.The second half was dominated by Paulton who had the majority of possession and were searching for an equaliser. A number of good quality crosses were put across the face of the visitors’ goal, however, Paulton didn’t seem to have anyone in the right place at the right time to meet the ball.As time was running out, Paulton continued to get numbers forward; however, they couldn’t create any clear-cut chances. Corsham did have a couple of chances to go further into the lead from good counter-attacking moves but some fine saves from Sean Salter kept the score 2-1.There was enough time for one final opportunity for Paulton as Jake Curtis got in behind the home team’s defence, only to see his effort bounce back off the post.Paulton’s next League game is on Thursday, 26th September; kick-off 7.30 p.m. at home to Frome Town U18s. Josh Hurst