With both sides coming into this game with a 100% success record something had to give and it was the visitors who maintained their perfect start to the season with a narrow victory in an ill tempered game that produced some excellent football throughout.

The visitors dominated the opening period with strikers, Jack Rowlands and Benji Thomas causing the home side numerous problems with their pace and strength. Rowlands headed over the bar from a free kick in the 4th minute, Oscar Reed hit the side netting and Thomas had a shot headed off the line by Jack Gianella before minutes later Thomas sent a lob over the advancing keeper and the bar as the Larks piled on the pressure.

It was therefore no surprise when they went ahead in the 17th minute as a neat pass through the centre of the home defence sent Rowlands clear and although Rover’ keeper, Jon Harvey, did well to get down to block the shot, the ball looped into the air and Rowlands was able to head the ball home.

The goal woke up the home side as Jack Smith, Ryan Gay and Dan Cottle all tested the visiting keeper, Sam Jones, before half time.

The second period began quietly until Jago Edgeworth from Larkhall was dismissed for a second bookable offence. If Rovers thought their task would now be easier they were sorely mistaken as the impressive Rowlands added his and Larkhall’s second, in the 72nd minute as he was allowed to race from near the half way line unchallenged and although he looked to have been forced wide, his shot across Harvey from the left, found the far bottom corner of the net.

It took Rovers just 4 minutes to pull the goal back as a ball into the Lark’s box was headed across goal and the unfortunate Joe Davies headed over his keeper and into his own net.

Rovers pressed for an equaliser and Jones did well to tip over a shot from substitute, Keane Sims. Then in injury time a through ball saw Gay, a Lark’s defender and Jones collide leaving the ball free for Sims to fire home but the assistant correctly flagged for a push on the defender. Rovers’ skipper, Jordan Harvey, was then shown a red card for foul and abusive language to the referee and another Rovers’ player was also booked for dissent as the game ended on a sour note.

Overall Larkhall were good value for the win and Rovers will now have to pick themselves up in time for next week when the visit Odd Down.

Team: Jon Harvey, S Cottle, Edwards, Gianella, Jordan Harvey (C), Park, Smith (Sims 75 mins), Robinson, D Cottle (Joyner 65 mins), Gay, Gwyther (Hunt 55 mins)

Paulton Rovers FC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Login