PAULTON Rovers went out of the Francis Hillier Somerset Premier Cup following an exciting penalty shootout against National League South side Weston-super-Mare after the sides had fought out a 1-1 draw.

After a rusty performance the previous Saturday against Ivybridge, Kieran Baggs would have been looking for a big response in another home tie. Slowly, the hosts worked their way into the game and should have taken the lead in the 7th minute after Elliot Haffenden was sent through but his shot rattled the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Rovers began to get more inspired and were looking dangerous down both flanks in the guise of Dan McBeam and Wayne Nderemani. In the 28th minute, Haffenden was through again but this time shot straight at the keeper Jakob Glover, who had been on loan at Paulton earlier in the season. Moments later, McBeam found Nderemani who in turn found Dylan Gould on the edge of the box. He hit a rasping shot but again, direct at the keeper.

Literally seconds later, an almost carbon copy move gave Gould a second chance. This time his shot was higher but still straight at the keeper.

Weston always looked dangerous going forward themselves and James Smallcombe had to make a good save in the 34th minute. Just two minutes later, Weston did get the lead after Ricardo Thompson was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Another former loanee at Paulton, Brandon Bak, stepped up to dispatch the spot kick.

The second half seemed to settle into an early pattern. Rovers dominated the possession with Weston looking to quickly counter. For ten minutes, Rovers moved the ball around well making probing moves but couldn’t quite find the killer pass. That is until the 55th minute when Elliot Haffenden found space in the box to pass to Wayne Nderemani who turned and swept a low shot past Glover.

In the 61st minute another good cross from Dan McBeam just alluded Elliot Haffenden in front of goal. Weston still looked dangerous on the break and they won a free kick in a dangerous position in the 65th minute. James Smallcombe had to be on his toes to push the low shot past his post.

Soon after, Kitan Jaiyeoba and Kyle Witt were introduced into the game and were both immediately in the action as Jaiyeoba broke free on the right, crossing in low. Witt stretched to connect with the ball and score into the empty net but the ball was frustratingly millimetres from his foot

In the 77th minute, Weston were nearly the architects of their own downfall when a defender skewed a header from a corner agonisingly wide of his own post. Another chance came and went for Dan McBeam before Rovers clattered the crossbar again in the 86th! Another cross from Jaiyeoba into a melee of players saw the chance missed again.

Arguably, Rovers had deserved a second goal but a penalty shootout would be how the game would be decided. With Weston leading the way, the first five penalties were all missed before Dan McBeam stepped up and gave Rovers the lead. Weston responded before Kyle Witt missed for Rovers. There then followed a period of excellent penalties. With the score 11-10 to Weston, the decisive moment came when the unfortunate Dan McBeam had his second penalty saved by Glover.

John Green