Report by Jon Green

A brace from Brandon Bak added to goals from Will Osborne and Stan Wyatt were enough for Paulton to take the points in the local clash on Good Friday.

Local derby matches can often be full blooded affairs and, despite the gap in league positions, this one was too. Rovers would have been the favourites going into the game but Street are capable of beating anyone on their day.

And it was Street that began the strongest of the two teams, creating a couple of early chances. However, the visitors began to come into the game and were settled when Brandon Bak headed in a Max Williams corner in the 11th minute.

Williams was becoming increasingly influential and in the 20th minute, his freekick almost brought the second goal but Street managed to scramble the ball away.

But it was only three minutes before his next freekick. He launched it into the box where Will Osborne seemed to easily run onto the ball heading it low and under the keeper.

There followed long periods of good possession for Rovers as they looked to add to the total. But a good opening didn’t arrive again and Street began to come back into the half themselves.

A good move lead to a shot from the right side of the box from the hosts but it drifted just wide. However, the chance lifted the team and the home support. They continued to press and won a freekick on the left. The ball was delivered in but David Slade was shoot have been brought down in the box and a penalty was given. Scott Laird stepped up to tuck the ball away.

The second saw Street begin with their tails up and again created an early opening.

As with the first half, Rovers took a little time to get going again but any nerves were settled again in the 54th minute when Max Williams nodded on a ball out from defence allowing Brandon Bak to beat the offside trap and go through to slot home.

The fourth came nine minutes later. Will Osborne lifted the ball over the top to Stan Wyatt and he lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

With a good lead it seemed Rovers would now go on to see out the game, but in the 68th minute Street hit back again. Theo Worth was put through and he held off a challenge and tucked the ball under James Smallcombe.

Street smelt a comeback and continued to push with Rovers also breaking when possible. It made for an entertaining final few minutes but Rovers managed to hold out for the win.

Next Up:
Shepton Mallet (A), Easter Monday, 1pm