PAULTON ROVERS 2 FROME TOWN 2

A thrilling local derby ended even as Paulton were indebted to a brilliant display from their eighteen-year-old goalkeeper, Aaron Sainsbury.

Sainsbury was sharp to thwart Kane Simpson, but on ten minutes, Frome went ahead as Sainsbury was adjudged to have brought down a falling Rex Manning. Alex Monks converted from the penalty spot.

Simpson set up Matt Smith, who fired wide. Then Paulton midfielder, Dave O’Hare, found Jake Jackson, who tried to chip over visiting Keeper, Kyle Phillips.

Rovers levelled on nineteen minutes as a free kick by Ed Butcher was headed out to O’Hare, who laid the ball back to Butcher, whose thunderous low shot gave Phillips no chance.

Dan Cottle had a chance but his weak shot sailed out and O’Hare responded to set up Dave Sims-Burgess, who fired wide.

On forty minutes, Frome went ahead after Smith, Simpson, then Rob Hobbs set up Cottle to drive low past Sainsbury to make it 2–1.

Frome had the first chance on the restart, as Joe O’Loughlin’s free kick was blocked, then Simpson bustled through, only for Sainsbury to win the battle.

Cottle put Simpson through one-on-one, with Sainsbury again the winner, and then the youngster twice brilliantly saved from Marcus Mapstone and then from the unfortunate Simpson. Hobbs set up Simpson, who fired wide.

That dominance cost Frome, on seventy-three minutes, as Rovers equalised when Nuno Felix crossed on the outside of his left boot and Bament raced in to head into the net, despite a despairing hand from Phillips.

Frome had a great chance to restore the lead as Hobbs’ cross was headed by Cottle straight into Sainsbury’s hands.

Rovers’ substitute, Jake Sloggett, brought a positive threat for the home side as they pressed for a winner, whilst O’Loughlin’s cross for Rex Manning hit into Sains- bury’s safe hands.

With a final throw of the dice, Bament tried an over-head bicycle kick, which flew over the bar.

This week, the First team are Away to Sholing on Saturday, 14th March, kick-off at 3 p.m., then at Home on Tuesday, 17th March. Kick-off at 7.30 p.m.

The Reserves team are at Home on Saturday, 14th March to league leaders, Hayden Sports, kick-off at 2 p.m.

The Youth team are Away on Tuesday, 26th March at Welton Rovers, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. They are Away again on Monday, 16th March at Bradford Town, kick off 7.30 p.m.

They play at Home to Corsham Town on Thursday, 19th March, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. Tony Walsh