Football Farm’s stoppage-time delight

BRISTOL Manor Farm boosted their hopes of avoiding automatic relegation from Southern League Division One South with a dramatic 4-3 win against Paulton Rovers.

Owen Howe bundled home a stoppage-time winner from Jake Gosling’s cross to spark jubilant scenes at The Creek.

Dave O’Hare’s penalty had given Paulton a 17th-minute lead, but a 32nd-minute own goal brought Manor Farm level and sparked a goal rush which resulted in the hosts leading 3-2 at the break. Ben Bament and Evander Grubb struck for Manor Farm, with Ed Butcher finding the net inbetween for Paulton with a free-kick delivery which caught the strong wind and deceived goalkeeper Ben John.

Nick Hewlett pulled Pauklton back level on 68 minutes, but Ford had the final say in a crazy game.

With second-bottom Cinderford also winning, Manor Farm remain two points clear of the Forest of Dean side.

In Premier South, Westonsuper-Mare gained a crucial three points from a 2-1 home win against Tiverton in their quest to win the title.

Jordan Bastien latched on to an Olly Mehew flick to fire Weston ahead on 40 minutes.

Marlon Jackson made it 2-0 in the 50th minute after Scott laird had cut the ball back, before Tiverton pulled one back through Matt Britton in the 58th minute. Weston remain five points clear at the top from Bracknell Town, but the Berkshire side have a game in hand.

Yate Town can still dream of a great escape from relegation, although it remains highly unlikely, after a second win in three days.

John Rendell’s side followed success against Met Police with a 2-1 win at Merthyr Town.

Owen Brain gave the Welsh club an early lead. However, Lucas Tomlinson equalised in the 20th minute, and Calvin Dinsley grabbed a 75th-minute winner after Kyle Tooze’s shot had been saved.