TIVERTON TOWN 2 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

Paulton gave a good account of themselves against Southern League Premier side Tiverton Town and deserved a draw after a controversial second goal for the home side.

In the seventh minute Rovers striker Jack Fillingham broke on the left and laid the ball into the path of Dave O’Hare who shot wide.

Tivvy though tested Paulton keeper Aaron Sainsbury with the youngster alter to hold shots from Jordan Bastin then Jared Lewington.

Lewington opened the scoring on eighteen minutes to get on the end of Bastin’s cross from the left giving Sainsbury no chance.

The hosts pressed their advantage and former Bath City player Andy Watkins hit a fierce shot turned for a corner by Sainsbury and then Bastin drove a firm volley against the crossbar.

Rovers hit back as Tom Llewelyn threaded through to Dan Cottle weaved in from the left laid the ball to O’Hare whose low drive went agonisingly wide.

Paulton made five changes and Lee Ibraham brought a fine save from home stopper Lewis Williams immediately on the restart following by the pacer left winger Tyler Jackson drive a low cross across goal then he set up overlapping full back Nuno Felix as Rovers threatened.

However Tiverton added a second on the fifty seventh minute as a through ball saw Lewington first pulled the shirt of Rovers skipper Charlie Hitchings then haul him to the ground. Amazingly the referee awarded the home side a free kick which saw Chris Shephed nip in from the left to chip over Sainsbury into the far right hand side of goal.

This spurred Rovers and Ryan Gay, Ibrahim, Cottle and O’Hare all had chances. After a series of corners taken on the left by Ben Withey the score was reduced as Craig Allan headed home.

In the dying minutes former Paulton winger Ed Butcher set up Levi Landricombe to fire wide and at the other end Withey brought a save out of Williams.

On Saturday Paulton play their first home game and last pre season game with Yate Town the visitors for a 3 p.m. kick off. Tickets now on sale to ensure track and trace.

Then on Saturday, 12th September they travel to Saltash United in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.