A terrific battling performance saw Paulton grab a point at promotion-chasing Evesham, with a sensational late equaliser from Sol Wheatley.
Evesham had two early chances, as Rovers’ keeper, Andrew Hannah, held a low shot from Garyn Preen, then a Liam Harding header.
On fifteen minutes, Sol Wheatley won the ball in his own half, drove forward and passed to Kailan Gould, who shot low past Kevin Sawyer to give the visitors the lead. Two minutes later, United levelled as Nick Stanley’s free kick was headed home by Lorcan Sheehan. Evesham made it 2–1 on 38 minutes as Harding’s shot was parried by Hannah and Lance Price drove home.
On half-time Rovers should have got back into the game as Reeko Best outpaced the home defence and as he bore down he slipped, with only Sawyer to beat.
Evesham could have gone further ahead as Sheehan headed wide and Hannah saved from Price and Mark Maggs. Rovers’ response was Josh Ford heading wide from Ricketts’ free kick. Substitute, Ryan Shaw, beat Sawyer, only for him to see his volley hit the cross bar. On 86 minutes, Wheatley picked up the ball on the half way line and struck a superb equaliser to seal the deserved point.
Man of the Match: Sol Wheatley (Paulton Rovers).
Paulton’s First team are at home to promotion-chasing Taunton Town this Saturday, 4th February, kick-off at 3 p.m. On Tuesday, 7th February they entertain AFC Totton, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. This game was postponed on 21st January and had been rearranged for last Tuesday, 31st January, but the visitors had to rearrange a Hampshire Cup match that night.
The Youth team are home to Welton Rovers on Thursday, 9th February, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
The Sunday XI lost 5–1 to League leaders, Kingsmead, last weekend. This Sunday they face the Pig and Fiddle at Lansdown, kick-off at 10.30 a.m.