THERE was a dramatic finale in the derby at Lodge Road this afternoon as Yate Town scored twice to salvage an improbable draw against Paulton Rovers and both sides were reduced to ten men.
Paulton seemed to have the three points in the bag when new loan signing Joe White, who scored five goals in a three-month spell at Yate earlier this season, put them 2-0 ahead with three minutes left after Chris Lane’s fourth minute opener.
But Yate showed great character to earn a point in an unlikely comeback as Russ Church netted his first goal for the club at the end of the 90 minutes and Mark Reynolds levelled from the spot after the home side were awarded a controversial penalty.
The exciting finish was marred by an X-rated challenge by hero turned villain Lane on Scott Thomas, which earned the Rovers man a straight red card. Yate will hope the injury to their key defender is not too serious after he hobbled off, leaving them to finish the game with ten men having already made the maximum three substitutions.
After the thaw of the last few days, the snow cleared to allow the game to go ahead but a sodden pitch made conditions difficult for the players, resulting in sloppy passing from both sides.
Yate were slow out of the traps and fell behind after five minutes when Lane shrugged off a challenge by Liam Fussell with ease and drove a low shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards.
The hosts gradually came into the game as Paulton’s on rushing goalkeeper Kyle Phillips saved well at the feet of Church and a fierce shot by Zayne Simpson from the edge of the box hit the side netting.
Reynolds had a great chance to equalise on 20 minutes but he hit the ball straight at Phillips when trying to divert Adie Adams’ long range shot into the goal from ten yards.
Just before the end of the half, Yate goalkeeper Josh Dempsey came off his line well to thwart White and Phillips made a good save to tip Church’s glancing header away from goal at the other end.
Yate continued to create more chances than the visitors in the second half but Church headed straight at Phillips from substitute Sam Duggan’s cross and Reynolds could only do the same after Zayne Simpson whipped in a dangerous delivery.
Former Weymouth player-manager Matt Hale then came on for his Yate debut, replacing Aron Robbins at left back, and his experience and composure on the ball was evident as the home side tried to claw a way back into the game.
However, the game looked dead and buried when White was released by Ben Lacey and pounced to score at the second attempt after Dempsey made a good save from his first effort.
No-one could have blamed some of the home fans for leaving early, especially when Church embarrassingly failed to connect with the ball when he had a great one-on-one chance from ten yards out.
But those who did go would have regretted their actions as Church made amends almost immediately, coolly slotting the ball past Phillips after a lovely through ball by Edd Vahid.
One minute later, Tom Warren sent in a cross from the right and Reynolds got a push in the back from former Mangotsfield United defender Alex Ball. Referee Mr Eaton had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but Paulton felt aggrieved as the decision appeared soft.
Reynolds stepped up to confidently smash the penalty home and there was still time for more drama as Lane’s wreckless two-footed lunge shortly after the restart left Thomas on the floor and the Rovers man was sent off.
Yate Town: Dempsey, Warren, Robbins (Hale, 70), Adams (Hughes, 63), Thomas, McAlinden, Fussell (Duggan, 46), Vahid ©, Reynolds, Church, Simpson. Subs not used: Burt, A White.
Paulton Rovers: Phillips, Ball, Rich, Waters (Tovey, 73), Price, Cousins, Jefferies, Lane, J White, Cleverley, Lacey. Subs not used: Burborough, Milsom, Redwood.
Ref: Mr D Eaton Att: 249 Gazette star man: Scott Thomas
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