Mango's pipped by Rovers

Report from Dave Neil

Paulton manager Dave Neil was pleased that his side determined efforts were rewarded as they scored the only goal to claim all three points.

The scorer debutant Penzi Kakoma who has recently moved from Zambia to join his familyhit the net after coming on s a sixty fifth minute substitute.

The win sees Rovers move into fourth place

Paulton lined up with Tom Smith back in the heart of defence after being out for 8 weeks and had Will Hailston (Somerset Under 16's captain) making his first full start of the season. Craig Burchall also made a return up front.

Paulton looked comfortable from the start and on a very heavy pitch the quality of footballwas not only pleasing on the eye but was bretah taking at times considering the conditions. It was a determined and resolute display from a team containing four 15 year olds and and three 16 year olds in the starting 11. The back four of Cooper(15), Smith Tom (17), Cook (15) and John Smith (16) were brilliant and did not put a foot wrong all night.

This was the foundation for the team to play some good attcking football with Ryan Allen and Craig Burchall leading the line and causing Mangotsfield an awful lot of problems. Mounty and Hailston were continually getting in behind the Mangotsfield defence but to be fair to their back four they defended very well.

Mangotsfield had moments of possesion and threatened on a number of occasions with one shot inches over the bar. The midfield pairing of Thomas and Lenihan coped well with the three opponents in midfield. The game was played with an excellent spirit and it was amazing that on this heavy slippery pitch the first foul conceded came after 26 minutes. This is credit to both sides. The second half was different with both sides going for it and as legs got tired the tackles were becoming more competitive as both sides looked for the opening goal.

The deadlock came in the 75th minute. Craig Burchall who had worked tirelessly all night was replaced by debutant Penzi Kakoma. Within two minutes Kakoma who has recently moved from Zambia to join his family found the net after picking up the ball inside the Mango's goal area and after taking it around the defender to slotted home.

It was richly deserved and the teams goal celebration demonstrated just how relieved they were. This was a very much a team goal. Rovers held out with not much of a response from the opposition.

George Mitchell came on for the last 15 minutes to make his comeback after being out for 6 weeks and helped to shut up shop and performed really well.

This win gave the squad a lot of confidence as they move into fourth league place with this win.

Team. Whittock, Cooper, Smith Tom. Cook, Smith John, Thomas, Lenihan(Mitchell), Hailston, Mounty(capt), Allen, Burchall (Kakoma 70).

Subs Not Used. Bowers, Mills, Docherty, Bradley

Man of the match-Jessie Cook