After their first pre-season friendly was abandoned after just 55 minutes, Paulton Rovers Under 18s were really looking forward to getting back out on the pitch on Sunday, August 16.

Following in the footsteps of their first team, Paulton’s Under 18s took the short trip to Southfields, home of Radstock Town FC for a 4:30pm KO.

Paulton looked very sharp from the off and dominated the game in the early stages, going a goal up through Harrison Newman after some individual brilliance from Tyler Lane down the left.

Paulton were unlucky not to get a second goal when Newman came close, this time a superb free kick which looked to be going in, only to be met by an equally superb save by Lucas Purnell in the Radstock goal.

After both teams made changes, the game increased in its intensity and the Radstock started to press aggressively, finding themselves retaining possession higher up the pitch. The young Miners made the pressure count, Freddie Blacker scoring the equaliser after latching on to a poor back pass.

Within minutes, Paulton regained the lead back, Tyler Lane again working his magic before shooting on goal and with a slight deflection, his effort nestled into the back of the net.

The game at this point had become very scrappy with both teams working extremely hard out of possession to stop the other team from relaxing with the ball.

Radstock again put the scores level, Freddie Blacker with his second, latching onto a long through ball before finishing calmly into the bottom corner.

With 20 minutes left on the clock both teams went for the win and it was Paulton who should have scored again, but for some fantastic saves from the home team keeper again keeping the scores level.

Finally, Paulton found the break through, this time, Kai Williamson finishing very well from the edge of the box making the score 3-2 to the visitors.

There was time for one last effort from the home side, who looked as if they were going to equalise in the last minute, only to be denied by Ben Smith clearing the ball with some vital last man defending, just about summing up the levels of desire and determination demonstrated by Paulton on the day.

An excellent game of football for the neutral and well done to everyone involved.

Report by Josh Hurst

(Great)Photo by John Newport