Report by Noel Avis

After Saturday’s goalfest against Bridgwater, it came as no real surprise that the next game would be a far rockier ride. Street had come out on top in the first fixture between the two clubs in August, and Dan Jackson in the Paulton goal was called into action early on as he saved a shot from Lewis Morgan.

The game was evenly balanced at the start, although Street were seeing more of the ball, and Dan Dyke was penalised for a foul on Street’s Joel Jackson.

Rovers broke away and shots from Dan McBeam and Will Hailston were close, while Jack Farion’s s effort flew over the bar following a fine move.

Gradually, Paulton started to gain some control. Kye Simpson with a deft backheel set up Milo Murgatroyd, who shot straight at Lewis Wiliams in the Street goal. Simpson himself then went close following a fine through ball by Dan McBeam. As defender Josh Ford sent a header over the Street bar, it seemed just a matter of time before Paulton’s dominance resulted in a goal.

Sam Hill and Will Osborne were industrious in midfield, harrying the Street players into mistakes and winning possession. Murgatroyd, McBeam, Hailston and Simpson all threatened but were unable to break the deadlock.

In the 39th minute, after Street’s Scott Laird had blocked a McBeam effort, Street’s playmaker Eli Collins struck a fine shot which drew a wondrous save from Jackson. Harry Foster and the dangerous Joel Lewis combined well before Rovers’ captain Jack Dancey made a saving interception. Street were gaining control. Nevertheless, the first half ended with Hailston striking the Street post with a fine effort.

Murgatroyd, Simpson and Osborne all went close after the break. Crosses just evaded onrushing forwards and promising runs were stifled by Street’s determined defenders. Decisions to pass rather going it alone, or going it alone rather than passing to a well-positioned team mate resulted in the scoreline remaining blank.

After 60 minutes, Kitan Jaiyeoba replaced Murgatroyd to add a different dimension. Street keeper Williams, challenged by Simpson, collapsed as if poleaxed – no foul was committed – yet a free kick was awarded and the keeper spent the rest of the game hobbling and time wasting. A fine cross by Simpson was headed just wide by Farion, while McBeam had yet another fine dribbling run intercepted.

Despite some promising opportunities for the home team, Street’s pressing gradually saw Rovers pegged back in their own half, banging clearances back toward the Street defenders thus inviting further pressure. Street gained corner after corner and the Paulton defenders were under severe pressure.

In the 84th minute a cross from Foster saw Callum Laird, up from defence strike the ball low and hard and in off the post to give Street a lead their late pressure just about deserved.

From then on, Paulton started to play in a much more adventurous way, creating chances for Rawlings and Simpson. Substitute Leo Eglin had a snap shot comfortably saved and a late cross from Rawlings went unconverted. Due to keeper Williams’s blatant timewasting, the referee justifiably added lengthy extra minutes but their late pressure came to nothing.

Rovers had succumbed to a sucker punch. While Street were ecstatic in victory, the Paulton players trooped off, dejected, knowing that missed opportunities earlier in the game had cost them.

Man of the match: Will Hailston: enterprising play and unlucky not to score

Next games:
Saturday 14th September: Buckland Athletic (A) 3pm
Tuesday 17th September: Clevedon Town (H) 7.30pm
Saturday 21st September: Torridgeside (H) 3pm