PAULTON Rovers are through to the next round of the Jewson Western Football League’s Les Phillips Cup following a hard-earned 1-0 away victory in midweek over neighbours Welton Rovers, the winner being scored during injury-time when the tie looked to be going to penalties.

Derby games often upset the form guides but with the huge gulf between these two local rivals at the moment, an upset didn’t look likely.

However Paulton, who play in the Premier Division, had not played for two weeks, while first division Welton were up for the game, and had a period of possession for the hosts right from the start. After surviving an early scare in the first two minutes that saw Paulton’s Elliot Haffenden hit the side netting from a tight angle, Welton looked to move the ball around and kept possession for good periods but without unduly testing Rob Brown in the visitors goal.

Slowly, Paulton got more of a foothold and in the tenth minute went close again as Dan McBeam rattled the crossbar after a neat turn and shot in the box. In the 19th minute, Haffenden hit the side netting again after a shot from Kailan Gould was parried into his path by Matthew Dunk in the Welton goal.

Following another shot that went just wide from McBeam, the crossbar was struck again by Tom Bradley following a corner in the 32nd minute. There was still time for Joel Smedley to hit a rasping shot just wide before half time.

The second half showed much the same pattern with Paulton upping the pressure with Welton trying to break away when they could. In the 50th minute, Joel Smedley tried his luck again and this time struck the post with Sid Partridge blasting over the rebound.

The best chance for the hosts came soon after as Rob Brown had to make a last ditch stop with an outstretched leg when a shot from outside the box appeared to be deflected. Within moments the ball was at the other end again with Wayne Nderemani sliding in on a cross but shooting over from close range.

In the 60th minute, Elliot Haffenden headed over from a Dan McBeam cross. This was followed by substitutions by the visitors. An almost comical moment occurred soon after as Paulton had four efforts on goal in seconds with Dunk and his defence throwing themselves in the way of everything. Further chances came for Alex Hallett and Kyle Witt and with penalties looming, Welton had a couple of late chances themselves although couldn’t force Brown into a save.

The winner came in added time when Kyle Witt slipped through to Tom Bradley and his shot (or cross!) somehow found its way though the smallest gap between Durk and the near post. It was hard on the keeper who was arguably the Man of the Match.

The last few moments were seen out by Paulton and they move into the next round of the Les Phillips Cup. In other ties on the same night, Street hammered Bridgwater United 6-1 at home while Bradford Town were 3-0 home winners over AEK Boco. Cheddar, struggling in the first division, gained a surprise 2-1 home success over Oldland Abbotonians, who play in the Premier Division.

Jon Green