CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1 PAULTON ROVERS 2

Paulton came from behind to claim a place in the Red Insure Southern League Cup 2nd round. Rovers fielded a youthful team with five teenagers, two of whom winger Tyson Pollard and centre back Harry Paice were making their first team competitive debuts.

Captain Scott Brice organised his defence as Chippenham attacked and on 15 minutes Bryan Smith chipped a delicate ball into the box which Blues captain Greg Tindle headed against the cross bar. Three minutes later James Guthrie broke down the left and his cross was met by a goal bound Darren Edwards header which was superbly tipped over the bar ‘Gordon Banks like’ by Rovers keeper Kyle Phillips.

Paice made a run from defence and his shot was blocked for a corner. Rovers were working well against a much bigger side and Callum Hinder’s burst across the park found Pollard but his cross was held by home keeper Kent Kauppinen.

Former Paulton favourite Luke Ballenger out stripped the defensive cover only for the England Futsal captain to see his shot turned for a corner by Phillips. It was taken by Guthrie and the ball was headed home by Mark Preece to give Chippenham the lead in the 26 minute.

As half time approached twice Rovers had shots on target. First Jordan Walker tried to curl the ball passed Kauppinen, then Elliott Gibbons shot was deflected for a corner.

Swindon loanee Alex Ferguson tested Phillips with a dipping volley, then Phillips was on hand to save from Darren Edwards with his feet. A period of intense pressure was well defend by Brice and his men. Paulton broke well with Adam Flint, Hinder and Pollard working well to find Scott Wilson whose low shot was partially parried by Kauppinen before he gather to prevent any further danger.

On 66 minutes Edwards attempted a deft chip which Phillips was pleased to see landed on the roof of the net. The response was from substitute James Vincent playing his first game for Paulton for over 18 months . He got around the back of the home defence only for the keeper to deny his attempted chip over his head.

Rovers equalised when Jon Davies, on as a substitute, fired a shot from the edge of the box on 76 minutes, which saw Jon Beedon's attempted headed clearance fly off Gibbons into the top corner of the net.

Paulton were now on top for the first period in the game and chucking everything at who responded by tossing up and under’s

With the game seemingly destined for a penalty shoot-out, both sides threw everything at getting the winner ‘The Blue’s’ testing Phillips and his defence with a series of up and under.

Rovers bagged the winner with less than2 minutes remaining. Davies’ run down the left and Pollard's cross from the left got the merest of touches from Mike Bryant at the far post to send the ball into the bottom corner of the net and Paulton into the next round.

Paulton Rovers – Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Adam Flint, Harry Paice, Scott Brice ©, Callum Hinder (sub James Vincent 68 mins.), Ollie Knowles, Jordan Walker (Ollie Knowles 57), Scott Wilson (Jon Davies 75), Elliott Gibbons, Tyson Pollard

Man of the match - Kyle Phillips (Paulton Rovers)
Entertainment Value 3 out of 5

Back to league action on Saturday with a trip to Chesham United K-O 3-00 p.m.