PAULTON ROVERS 2 v 1 GOSPORT BOROUGH

Emirates FA Cup – 3rd Qualifying round replay First4Pools Stadium

Rovers beat Boro’ in classic cup tie!

Paulton played brilliantly to cause an FA Cup upset against favourites Gosport Borough.

For long periods, Rovers were under sustained pressure from their higher level opponents – Gosport play in the Southern Premier League (South) – but always looked dangerous on the counter attack.

The Paulton defence, marshalled expertly by captain Neil Martin, were in outstanding form and, in Kyle Tooze they have a centre forward who no defender would want to play against.

Both teams began the game with total commitment. Aaron Sainsbury in the home goal fielded an early cross from Bradley Tarbuck while at the other end, Kyle Tooze’s clever flick was just too much for Will Harvey to gather.

After 15 minutes of even play, Gosport began to exert some control of the game and a mazy run by the talented Abduali Baggie drew a foul from Paulton’s Chris Peck. This led to a shot from Harvey Bradbury, saved at point blank range by Sainsbury. Rovers were living dangerously, and a succession of crosses from Boro’s Harry Kavanagh and Tarbuck flew across the face of the Paulton goal, but none were converted.

Paulton’s left back Nuno Felix made crucial tackles to thwart the advancing Gosport forwards, whilst team mates Mike Ilea, Martin and James Byrne were resolute in defence, making vital interceptions and great clearing headers. Wide men Martin Lenihan and Harvey were creative and supportive.

After 23 minutes a fine run by Will Harvey allowed Kyle Tooze to get on the ball, drive down the right wing and fire a terrific cross shot which David O’Hare turned past Patrick O’Flaherty in the Boro’ goal to put Paulton ahead.

Gosport tried hard to respond and had the greater possession, but the Paulton team protected their lead with skill and determination. Boro’s Bradbury, chasing yet another through ball, unnecessarily and dangerously followed through on Sainsbury, knocking him to the ground. Bradbury was duly booked.

After 36 minutes, Baggie set up Daniel Wooden whose shot was saved at point blank range by Sainsbury. A breathless first half ended with Paulton clinging on to their 1-0 advantage.

The second half began with Tooze’s great run and shot not hitting the target. Gosport’s captain Rory Williams made a fine run down the left that led to a succession of corners which were dealt with, not entirely convincingly by the Paulton rearguard.

Another speculative long shot from Tooze failed to trouble the Boro keeper. Then a long Paulton clearance, after 54 minutes, following another Gosport corner, saw Tooze chasing the ball in competition with Boro’s Finlay Walsh-Smith. The defender collided, accidently, with his goalkeeper and both players received lengthy treatment. Fortunately, both were ok, but required substitutes.

Borough were gaining control of the game again and their best player, Baggie, now playing more in midfield, was instrumental in coordinating their attacks. One snap shot of his narrowly cleared Sainsbury’s crossbar.

In the 77th minute, and after being harshly booked, Kyle Tooze chased another long clearance down, using his strength and power to beat a Boro defender to the ball. He then played it back to the supporting Dan Dempsey, who rifled the ball into the net to make it 2-0 to Rovers.

Gosport threw everything at Paulton from then on and after 83 minutes, as for once Rovers failed to clear the ball, Wooden forced the ball over the line to make it 2-1.

There followed a nerve jangling final few minutes, plus prolonged injury time. A last gasp, edge of the area free kick for Gosport, had Paulton fans watching through their fingers, but it flew just over the bar.

Man of the match: Kyle Tooze – centre forward play of the highest order, aggression, power and great ball skill.

Paulton travel to Hampton & Richmond for the 3rd Qualifying Round on 1 October in the next round.

Docmail 'man of the match' Kyle Tooze (centre) with kit man James Hicks (left) and manager John Rendell.

Paulton Rovers FC

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