CINDERFORD TOWN 3 v 4 PAULTON ROVERS

With the recent bad weather meaning a fixture back-log, Paulton and Cinderford fans alike were treated to a rare Thursday night game and what a treat it was as a game which included seven goals and two penalties in a topsy turvy affair ended with Rovers coming out the eventual victors.

Cinderford Town club members had worked hard to get the game on since Tuesday and it was the home side who came out the blocks the quickest taking the lead after just 2 minutes when Craig Norman's low shot find the bottom corner.

After a nervy opening 10 minutes for Rovers they finally started to get in their stride and 15 minutes in produced a great passage of play moving the ball back to front, left to right eventually winning a corner that was cleared away. However, it was only two minutes later and Paulton got their just reward when firstly Omar Simpson showed great strength and power to fire a thunderous shot at goal which was palmed away by the keeper, but only as far as the onrushing Josh Cann who took one touch to get the ball on his left peg, and then BANG!... into the bottom corner the ball flew and it was 1-1.

Following the equaliser, Paulton began to take a stranglehold on the game after a diving header by Kyle Knott was well saved by the keeper, Paulton took the lead in the 35th minute through the in-form Jack Ball who fired home from the edge of the box after the referee played a useful advantage after Joe Guest was fouled. It was the young striker's 4th goal in as many matches taking his tally to 20 for the season in all competitions and the confidence was visible to see when on the stroke of half-time, 50 yards out Ball saw the Cinderford keeper off his line and went for an audacious lob which floated over the bar.

Half Time: Cinderford Town 1 v 2 Paulton Rovers

Paulton started the second half in much better fashion than the first half looking organised and solid at the back and then on the 53rd minute was the start of a crazy 9 minute spell producing 4 goals!
Firstly, it was Rovers who extended their lead (53') when after good work again by Omar Simpson, newly introduced sub Joe Hillard ran onto Simpson's pass 20 yards out and curled home a low shot inside the post. 3-1 Rovers.
Just 2 minutes later (55') Cinderford got back into the game when the referee awarded a penalty for handball which was duly dispatched by Daniel Macdonald and then on the 57th minute, the comeback was complete when Lorcan Sheehan was unmarked at the back post to power a header home. 3-3!
After looking comfortable at 3-1 just 5 minutes earlier, Rovers were now on the ropes as Cinderford smelt blood and went looking for a 4th goal but like all good prize fighters, Paulton dusted themselves down and it was the away side who dramatically re-took the lead (62') after an in-swinging Dale Evans corner was met by the head of Captain Josh Ford at the back post to squeeze the ball home. 4-3 Rovers!

With the best part of 30 minutes still left in the game, there was plenty of time for more drama and the fans were not let down when in the 67th minute Cinderford were awarded a second penalty after Rovers keeper Hannah needlessly brought down the striker as he turned away from goal. Macdonald stepped up again to take the penalty, but this time Hannah redeemed himself brilliantly with a diving save to his left to keep the ball out.

There was barely time to breathe in a pulsating second half and this time the action was in the Cinderford goalmouth on the 70th minute when Jack Ball scuffed his shot towards goal yet as the keeper knelt down to claim, the ball bobbled hitting the keeper on the head and somehow floated over the crossbar. From the resulting corner a flying header was goal-bound but this time the Cinderford keeper saved well with his hands.

As the game reached the latter stages it would have been no surprise to see more goals and as Cinderford bombarded the Paulton goal with high crosses, it was keeper Andy Hannah who commanded the area brilliantly and when he came out to claim a 94th minute free-kick, finally the game, and all 3 points were safe as the referee blew for full time. What a game.

Full time: Cinderford Town 3 - 4 Paulton Rovers

The action comes thick and fast with Rovers next game at home tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) against promotion chasing Swindon Supermarine.