PAULTON ROVERS 2 v 2 DUNSTABLE TOWN

(Aside) Paul from sponsors SWALLOW present their man of the match award to Nick McCootie

Paulton came into this game after three consecutive draws, to face second placed Dunstable Town. There was a bumper crowd for non league day and a number of clubs and schools had accepted Rovers invited to come to the match.

The home side launch early attacks through 18 years old Elliott Gibbons combining with Dean Evans and Mike Bryant. Dunstable responded with Charlie henry heading wide from a Ryan Plowright cross. Henry had figured before at Winterfield Road for Newport County in 2009 a game won 1-0 as Paulton went on to face Norwich City in the 1st Round of the FA Cup.

Town looked a danger through new signing Gary Mulligan who set up winger Tony Burnett whose shot was blocked by Evans. Mulligan then headed wide from Henry's cross.

This gave the home side the initiative when Jon Davies sent Nick McCootie down the left he held off his marker and lobbed keeper Luke Chambers to give Paulton a 1-0 lead.

Burnett linked with Scott Davies as Town sought to get back in the game. Burnett had a shot smothered by Kyle Phillips and then Ollie Knowles blocked Davies.

On 25 minutes a delightful turn by McCootie saw him run on and hit a curling shot bringing a great save from the diving Chambers.

Henry then attempted a long range shot which sailed over the bar.

Rovers made it 2-0 after thirty five minutes as Jon Davies seized on a poor clearance found Bryant ho tucked the ball into the net.
.
Then early in the second half Bryant had a strike which hit the crossbar and was cleared away.

As Dunstable strove forward Phillips pulled of a string of top draw saves. First Burnett, then on 56 minutes turning aside a low Henry shot before saving from Mulligan.

Scott Davies pulled a goal back with a cracking twenty five yards free kick giving home keeper Kyle Phillips no chance on 71 minutes.

Town were now pressing hard and with four minutes left Ollie Knowles brought down Gary Mulligan and captain Ben Herd banged home the penalty to give the visitors a point.

There was time for both sides to snatch a win Henry had a drive deflected by Phillips and at the other end sub Josh Klein-Davies and Gibbons both a chances saved by Chambers.

Non league day was well supported with a crowd of 246 including representatives from several local schools and junior football teams.

Local Midsomer Norton charity SWALLOW (South West Action For Living Our Way) held a collection and choose Nick McCootie as man of the match.

Paulton team -Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Jordan Walker (sub Tom Seary 83 mins), Ollie Knowles, Scott Brice (C), Dean Evans, Elliott Gibbons, Ashley Williams, Mike Bryant, Jon Davies (Marcus Mapstone 76), Nick McCootie (Josh Klein-Davies 68).

Subs not used Josh Jeffries, Ryan Batten