Paulton Rovers exited the first round of the Les Philips Cup on Tuesday, October 23, losing 4-2 away to Shepton Mallet.

Rovers fielded a rotated lineup from the team that beat Radstock Town in the FA Vase first round just a few days prior.

Shepton Mallet started the game strong, particularly from set pieces, having had an effort hit the post in just the second minute. Then, another corner came in at the six minute mark, where a subsequent shot from Charlie Bateson gave Shepton Mallet the lead.

Paulton responded well to the setback, with the team pressing their opponents well and forcing them into mistakes. They were able to equalise in the 15th minute after Leo Eglin stole the ball in midfield and fed it through to Kye Simpson, who placed it underneath the Shepton Mallet goalkeeper.

The rest of the first half continued with both teams looking to attack, and were relatively level in the process though most notable was the flurry of pressure Shepton Mallet had to survive at around the 30 minute mark.

Shepton Mallet 4-2 Paulton Rovers
(Jenny Short)

When the second half started, it was Rovers who had the momentum, and they would go on to score in the 54th minute. Dan McBeam picked up the ball on the left flank, and then fed a low cross to Kye Simpson, who would slide into the net at the far post.

Just as Paulton had responded quickly after going behind, Shepton Mallet would also ensure they weren’t behind for long. Only five minutes after conceding, Paul Braithwaite was able to power in a header coming off a corner to bring his side back on level terms.

Momentum had looked to swing back in Paulton’s favour, though they weren’t able to challenge the goalkeeper all to much. Shepton Mallet would have another corner in the 72nd minute, and this time it would find Joel Sisson, who would poke the ball into the net.

Rovers had lost the momentum they once had, struggling to get forward and attack. Even a number of substitutions which included the likes of U18 players Harry Collins and Harvey Wroe couldn’t change things.

The game was killed off in the 81st minute from yet another Shepton Mallet corner, as Cam Allen swung the ball in a way that Greg Lannon could only parry it down and towards his own net, though with a Shepton Mallet leg outstretched and potentially knocking the ball in itself.