LEISTON 3 v 2 PAULTON ROVERS

Frustrated Paulton returned empty handed from a 480 mile round trip to Suffolk to play Ryman Premier League Leiston FC despite a brave come back from a 2-0 half time deficit.

Chances came and went from both sides. Colchester United Conor Hubble finding Tom Winter who fired over the cross bar. Rovers response was Jon Davies laying the ball into the path of centre back Ashley Williams who like wise shot to high and over. On twenty four minutes Paulton keeper Kyle Phillips made a great save from Gareth Heath to turn the ball for a corner.

From the in swinging corner on the right taken by left back Stuart Boardley, Leiston went ahead from when captain Joe Jefford headed home. Rovers undoing was having no player on the left hand post.

Ten minutes later it looked as though the visitors had equalised. Brandon Barnes sped down the left wing cut inside and shot across goal. With keeper Danny Gay beaten the ball hit the foot of the right post and bounced out.

Rovers were to rue that chance as it was 2-0 after 42 mins when Kyle Phillips lost the ball after a high speculative lob into the area seemed to leave him in two minds and Tom Winter tapped home.

Paulton came out a different side for the second half. Ollie Knowles has shot deflected for a corner Jon Davies tested Gay.

Brandon Barnes pulled one back hitting home a pile driver on the 55 minutes. Davies found Barnes popping up on the right. His first shot was blocked and the ball fell perfectly for him to volley passed Gay.

Paulton were in dominant mood now and Barnes was narrowly wide with Davies and Dean Evans bringing saves from Gay.

Rovers deservedly levelled after sixty four minutes Scott Wilson, Davies and Barnes linked up and Evans was on hand to turn the ball home.

However Leiston hit a lucky winner three minutes later when Conor Hubble's weak shot hit Leon Ottley-Gooch on the backside and deflected into the net passed a despairing Phillips.

Phillips smothered the ball after it bobbled around in the area with Ottley-Gooch looking as if he was going to add to his tally

Paulton tried everything to get back with Knowles, Wilson and Evans going close and Barnes firing wide. Winter hit a drive across goal after being set up by Hubble

Entertainment value 4 out of 5.
Man of match Brandon Barnes (Paulton Rovers)

Good luck to Leiston who amazingly have been awarded a bye in the next round so advance now to the 1st round proper.

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