MERTHYR TOWN 1 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

(above) Paulton scorer Ben Bament

Paulton came away with a deserved point from Merthyr Town and had more shots on target then in all previous league games.

After an early flurry from Merthyr which the Rovers defence coped well they took an 8th minute lead. 18 years old Josh Morgan-Williams broke down the right and passed to right back Jordan Walker on the overlap. His low cross deceived the home defence and the ball was turned home by Ben Bament.

Merthyr striker Ryan Prosser was well marshalled by Craig Allan and Rovers were holding their own on the 3G pitch. A right wing corner from Elliott Scotcher was headed over the bar by Jon Brown as Town looked to level proceedings.

Morgan-Williams shot on the run which keeper Tom Bradley held and then Jay Malpas on loan from Bristol Rovers was narrowly wide with a shot from 25 yards out.

Following a corner, confusion reigned in the Paulton penalty area with several half chances blocked by captain Shayne Anson then Allan before Jordan Walker cleared the danger. Prosser then raced through but was beaten to the ball by Ben John as the keeper did a bit of nifty head work before clearing his lines.

On 44 minutes Paulton nearly made it two as Morgan-Williams showed some neat footwork dribbling past his marker and cracked a cracking drive which hit the foot of the post.

The Martyrs looked more determined after half time with Brown tested John and then 'The Martyr's' equalised as Scotcher's corner was firmly head home by danger man Prosser after 53 minutes.

Rovers defence held firm as the Welshmen were in the ascendancy and Prosser was thwarted by the resolute back line with John well in control of any crosses.

Ten minutes from time former Frome player Rhys Baggeridge was shown a straight red card for an atrocious two footed tackle on Allan. This was totally out of context in a good natured competitive game with not a single yellow card shown by referee Dale Wootton.

Man of the match - Craig Allan (Paulton)