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PAULTON ROVERS 3 v 2 BARNSTAPLE TOWN

PAULTON ROVERS 3 v 2 BARNSTAPLE TOWN

Tony Walsh27 Jan 2022 - 12:31
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https://www.paultonrovers.co.u

Rovers just too strong for Barum REPORT BY NOEL AVIS

Southern League Division 1 South 26.01.2022 First4Pools Stadium

Paulton welcomed Barnstaple Town at the First4Pools Stadium at Winterfield Road . The visitors side was much changed from the one beaten heavily by Rovers earlier in the season. New faces recruited by Barum make them a much sterner opposition.

The first half was an even affair, although Rovers created the better chances – Will Harvey’s enterprising play down the right causing Barnstaple problems, while Ed Butcher’s free kicks and corners were dangerous.

From one of these Neil Martin had a fierce shot saved by Lloyd Irish in the Town goal and from another, Harvey’s fine shot skimmed the crossbar.

Full backs Barney Soady and James Byrne made great forward runs, creating half chances for Jack Ball and Dave O’Hare in attack, but at the other end, Rovers keeper Aaron Sainsbury was called upon to react smartly to Owen Howe’s shot and then to make a point blank save from Ollie Haste’s header. Sainsbury also made excellent clearances under great pressure from Barnstaple forwards.

The first half ended as successive dangerous crosses from Butcher and Soady were beaten away by Irish to keep the score at 0-0.

Paulton started the second half on the front foot. Long range shots though, were high or wide. But after 53 minutes, following a great run by Liban Ibrahim, Ed Butcher’s trickery created a chance for Jack Ball from closer range. He rifled the ball past Irish to give Rovers a deserved lead.

Rovers then began to link play more patiently for a period. Ibrahim and George Fowler, supported by defenders, were more effective and gained more control in midfield. So, after 59 minutes, it was against the run of play when, from a Barnstaple corner delivered by Billy Tucker, Howe headed in to equalise. This gave Town a lift and Sol Wheatley went close with a shot over the bar.

But Rovers gradually wrestled back control. In the 70th minute and after a succession of corners from Butcher, a shot from Ball rebounded from a post, allowing Will Harvey to sweep the ball home to regain the lead for Paulton.

17 year old youth team player Harley Prior and debutant Alfie Clarke joined the game to add a new dimension. But just eight minutes later, Barnstaple’s captain Tucker, swung over another corner which Paulton struggled to clear. Town substitute Ryan Turner was able to hook the loose ball into the net to equalise for a second time.

Paulton heads did not drop though and they continued to press. Great shots from Will Harvey and James Byrne were saved. Finally with just five minutes left, another Byrne cross was seized on by Jack Ball, whose shot took enough of a deflection to defeat the Barum goalkeeper and make the score 3-2 to Rovers.

Paulton cleverly saw out the match to secure the victory.

The match was refereed with skill and patience by Liam Beames and his assistants.

Paulton man of the match: Will Harvey – tireless, with contributions all over the pitch and a fine goal.

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