Mangotsfield United sealed a win over Paulton after getting the rub of the green and not least some controversial decisions.

Paulton applied early pressure and first Jordan Ricketts hit a drive that smacked against the crossbar and almost from the rebound, Will Hailston hit the post.

Against the run of play, Mangotsfield took the lead. A deep cross by full back, Tom Warren, looked to be safely collected by Rovers’ keeper, Andrew Hannah, who was impeded by Liam Monelle jumping at him. The ball fell to Lewis Powell to hit home on fourteen minutes, despite protests to the referee that a foul should have been given.

Paulton left back, Connor O’Sullivan, received a knock to the head, causing sufficient concern to Paulton physio, Jasmine Mannings, that an ambulance was called, and he was treated by the paramedics for suspected severe concussion.

Rovers equalised after 28 minutes, when Kailan Gould made space and superbly curled the ball around home keeper, Shaun Semmens.

Four minutes after the restart, United went ahead again amidst controversy as visiting keeper, Andrew Hannah, appeared to be once again fouled by Monelle, who jumped straight at the Paulton custodian as he dealt with Brad Abraham’s cross and Powell once against shot home.

With minutes remaining, Hailston beat the home offside trap and in a 50/50 tussle with Semmens, he was somehow adjudged to have committed. To the dismay of even the Mango’s fans, he was shown a second yellow card and then dismissed. Rovers battled well to get back into the game and deserved at least a point but went home empty handed.

As The Journal went to press on Tuesday, 4th October, Paulton travelled to Bridgwater Town in the first round of the Southern League Challenge Cup. This Saturday, they are home to Tiverton Town in the FA Trophy first qualifying round, kick-off at 3 p.m.

Next Tuesday, 11th October, Rovers travel to league leaders, Hereford, who have been getting a crowd of over 3,000. Kick-off is at 7.45 p.m. with the coach leaving the club at 3.30 p.m.

Supporters wishing to travel should add their name to the list in the clubhouse.

The youth team lost 2–0 to Wells City last Wednesday in the Roger Stone Memorial Cup. Last Monday, they faced Radstock Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup.

Ten players from the two squads have been selected for the Somerset County U-18s team.

The Sunday XI lost 2–0 in the Stan Milsom Cup to Athletico Bath. They have no game this weekend.

Tony Walsh