PAULTON Rovers beat local rivals Welton Rovers 2-1 at home with goals from George Fowler and Corey Rawlings to end their season in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League on Easter Monday,

With Welton having been confirmed as relegated some time ago and Paulton's late run at the play-off spots halted by two poor results, there seemed like a very 'end of season' air about this game.

And true to form, the match started like both teams were ready for the beach. It took a long time for either team to get a grip of the game although the visitors had delivered some tempting crosses into the box in the first fifteen minutes..It took until the 26th minute for the first real chance of the game when Milo Murgatroyd tried one of his trademark runs, taking on a defender in the box and squaring the ball to Kye Simpson, but his effort was deflected wide.

In the 34th minute, Corey Rawlings did well turn his man on the edge of the box before firing a low shot that was saved. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when a good team move was rounded off by Milo Murgatroyd finding George Fowler in acres of space. His low drive drive seemed saveable but Adrien Cordillet somehow let the ball go underneath him and into the net.

Seconds later, Murgatroyd was clear through and after dragging the ball around Cordilett seemed to be clearly brought down by the keeper only to have his penalty shout waived away. Welton had posed some threat to the Rovers goal but Dan Jackson hadn't needed to pull out any save of consequence in the opening 45 minutes.

All in all, the first half had been a little drab.But the second half was a very different affair. Arguably the game got what it needed in the 49th minute when ex-Paulton striker, Jamarni Langlais, blasted a deflected shot past Jackson who had very little chance to stop the shot. The goal certainly perked up with neither now wanting to lose the local derby.

The 55th minute saw Murgatroyd make another great run down the right and finding Corey Rawlings in the box but his shot flew agonisingly over the bar. The first of two sendings off came three minute later when Paulton substitute, Dylan Gould, tangled with Langlais. Tempers flared and Langlais appeared to grab Gould's throat and was given a straight red card. Gould was booked for his anger.

With tails up and an extra man, Paulton began to get on top and in the 71st minute, retook the lead. Another substitute, Will Hailston did well on the left squaring the ball to Corey Rawlings who was six yards out. He still had some work to do to spin his man, but he did and smashed the ball home.

The 78th minute saw Paulton reduced to ten men when Gould was adjudged to have gone over the ball in an aggressive tackle. This gave the hosts some momentum again and they pushed for an equaliser. Jackson had to make a fingertip save over the bar and in the dying moments, the crossbar itself saved Paulton before Jackson pulled off a great reaction save from the rebound. It ended a far more entertaining half. . .

Jon Green