There was great excitement for Paulton Rovers and Manager, Richard Fey on Saturday as his side went into Monday’s draw after beating Cinderford Town, 2–1.
Rovers took the lead after only five minutes as Cameron Brown swung in a free kick in from the left, which centre half, Craig Allan, clipped back into the six-yard-box for debutant, Josh Ford, to turn home, much to the delight of the former Frome Town player. On fourteen minutes, Cam Brown ran at the home defence and laid the ball to Jordan Ricketts, who looked odds-on to score only for home keeper, Alex Harris, to block with his foot.
The Foresters then had a neat move, ending when Garyn Preen’s pass which found Lee Smith, but the prolific striker was ruled off-side. Then Lorcan Sheehan drove narrowly over the bar from 25 yards. Allan and Ford were forging a sound Rovers central defence, marshalling Smith, and with Captain, Shayne Anson, at right back, and youngster, Alex Grimshaw, at left back, threats down the flanks were soon snuffed out.
Allan played a ball out of defence into the path of Ben Bament and the striker deftly chipped over the keeper with the ball, unfortunately hitting the face of the crossbar and bouncing away.
Rovers lost the influential Anson to injury at half-time with keeper, Ben John, taking the Captain’s armband against his former club.
Paulton nearly increased their lead on 68 minutes, as Bament laid the ball back to Bristol Rovers loanee, Dominic Thomas, with the nineteen-year-old bringing a fine save as Harris tipped the ball away for a corner. The missed chances were compounded as Cinderford levelled after 71 minutes, as Garyn Preen’s free kick was firmly headed home by Josh Nelmes.
With Cinderford wasting several more chances, Paulton brought on Assistant Manager, Nathan Rudge, and within a minute of his start on 81 minutes, he met a right-wing corner from Aaron Brown, heading across goal for Bament to turn into the net for 2–1.
After sealing £3,000 of prize money from last Saturday’s win at Cinderford Town, Paulton will be rewarded with a home tie against the winners of Chesham United or Aylesbury FC in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. These two sides drew 0–0 last weekend, with the replay being decided at Aylesbury on Tuesday evening as The Journal went to press.
The game will be played on Saturday, 26th September with a 3 p.m. kick-off and the winners will earn prize money of £4,500.
This Saturday, Paulton entertain Kettering Town, once managed by Paul Gascoigne. They were promoted after winning the Evostik Southern League Division One Central. Kick-off is at 3 p.m.
Next Tuesday, Rovers are away to Merthyr Town, coach leaves club at 4 p.m.
T. Walsh