PAULTON ROVERS U18s 1 YATE TOWN 3

Paulton welcomed Yate for the Quarter-Final of the Roger Stone Memorial Cup. The game was very high tempo from the start, with both teams working hard in and out of possession.

Yate were looking to get in behind the Rovers defence, playing long-balls over the top, and they found a breakthrough twenty minutes into the game when the Yate number 9 got through one-on-one and finished well to take the lead.

The home side went straight back at Yate and were pressing high up the field. Mason Harrison won the ball just outside the area and combined well to get through on goal and make the score 1-1.

Shortly after, Paulton had a great chance to take the lead when Jake Curtis did well to get through on-goal, narrowly missing the target and putting the ball just wide of the post.

At the beginning of the second half, both teams continued to play fast attacking football creating chances but no clear cut opportunities and some excellent defending on display from both sides.

With 25 minutes to go, the home side were looking tired, a cross coming into the area was not dealt with well by the defence and the Yate striker, Morton, found himself with the ball at his feet two yards out with an open net. A poor goal to concede for Paulton.

With only twenty minutes to go, Rovers introduced fresh legs and changed shape to try and steal a late equaliser unfortunately this left them vulnerable at the back.

In the last five minutes, after another Paulton attack, the ball was cleared long down the field to Morton, who ran with the ball from just over the halfway line to finish well and take Yate into the Semi-Final.

Rovers showed everyone just how far they have come over the past eighteen months, against a top side who are currently sat second in the Premier Division. However, it just wasn’t to be for them on the night, and manager, Josh Hurst, wished Yate Town all the best in the next round.

Paulton are back in League action on Monday, 12th November away to Keynsham Town. They are then at home to Longwell Green on Thursday, 22nd November; kick-off 7.30 p.m.

Josh Hurst