Somerset County Sunday Cup

Report & photos by David Aldridge

Paulton Rovers’ Sunday team hosted Yeovil Sunday League 2 side Keinton FC in the Somerset County Cup on Sunday 19 October.Keinton piled on the pressure from the start, and had a good ten minutes of play all their way, resulting in a fine goal when Sam Watts broke free of his marker, and chipped the ball past goalie Jon Filer to take the lead.

Going one nil down provoked an immediate response from Paulton, pushing immediately from the re-start, and a good cross found Daniel Elms in the middle, and he headed it in the corner of the net out of the goalies reach.

Both teams kept the pressure up, with chances going each way. Keinton won a free kick just outside the area, the shot was good, but was blocked by Jon Filer, but Keinton failed to capitalise on the loose ball. A penalty appeal for Paulton wasn’t given, and the resulting corner was cleared by Keinton.

Several chances for Paulton, with Sam Cannon taking a solid shot from 30 yards that sailed wide, but a minute later made a good run down the middle, only to be squeezed out by the Keinton defence, and pulled down just as he lined up to shoot. The ref blew for a penalty; Lee Chinnock made no mistake with the shot, sending the keeper the wrong way, giving Paulton the lead.

Both sides pushed hard before the break with Paulton making a few good attacking moves, but failed to finish. Keinton took advantage with a counter attack, and came close to drawing even with a strong header five yards out, but Filer had it covered, and the teams went in to the break with Paulton 2-1 up.

The second half started with the play about even, but with the best chances going to Paulton with a shot just over the crossbar, followed by two good runs down the right. Keinton were by no means out of the play and a long throw-in resulted in a corner, and then a few minutes later a strong challenge on the edge of the area resulted in a free kick. The kick went high over the crossbar, but Keinton kept the pressure up, and Filer had to work hard to keep the ball out, making several good saves against a sustained attack.

Paulton steadied themselves, and started their own counter, but couldn’t seem to get through the centre of the Keinton defence until a tidy pass landed at Chinnock’s feet, and seeing the keeper off his line, chipped it over, to score a cracking goal, and make the game safe for Paulton.

Paulton were unlucky not to get a second penalty when Sam Cannon was brought down in a late tackle that looked to be inside the box. The free kick whistled round Keinton’s wall, and just went over the top of the crossbar.

Keinton pushed up to the last minute with a fine play down the right forcing Filer way out of the goal to make the ball safe.

Star Man: Jon Filer