O’Hare bags four goals as Paulton thrash struggling Barnstaple
FOUR goals from Dave O’Hare reignited Paulton Rovers’ play-off challenge in Division One South as they eased to a 6-0 victory at relegation-threatened Barnstaple Town.
O’Hare headed home from close range to give Paulton a 15th-minute lead, and added a second from the penalty spot ten minutes later following a handball offence by Ethan Phillips, which resulted in a red card for the Barnstaple player.
O’Hare and Bristol City youngster Marcus Day added further goals for Paulton before the break, while Kai Fisher put two headed efforts wide for Barnstaple.
In the second half, O’Hare got his fourth with a long-range effort, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Barnstaple went down to nine men when Liam Gregory was sent off after a second booking, and a miserable day for the hosts was completed when Day scored his second with ten minutes left.
A swirling wind made for tricky playing conditions at The Creek, where Bristol Manor Farm battled out a goalless draw with Highworth Town.
Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist, Ellis Watts and Alan Griffin all came close to breaking the deadlock for Manor Farm in the second half.
Mangotsfield United suffered a 2-1 defeat at relegation battlers Basingstoke Town.
Simon Dunn gave the home side a half-time lead, and Bradley Wilson doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute.
Samuel Larkins pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, but late pressure failed to bring an equaliser.
In Premier South, mid-table Weston-super-Mare had a 1-0 home win against Walton Casuals.
Isaac Pearce and James Waite came close for Weston before the breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Greg Tindle scored with a long-range effort.
In the second half, Waite skimmed the post with a free-kick and Mike Symonds put a header wide. Home goalkeeper Luke Purnell made some good saves to ensure victory.
Yate Town’s relegation fears heightened after a 2-0 home defeat to high-flying Hayes & Yeading.
Francis Amartey fired the visitors ahead on 24 minutes, and he added a second ten minutes later.
For Yate, Tommy Comway had a low shot saved by Jack Smith, while
Isaac Pearce on the ball for Weston in the win against Walton Casuals
Aysa Corrick had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper.
However, Hayes & Yeading held on to their lead with relative comfort and Amartey and Omar Rowe came close to extending it.
» Thornbury Town’s promotion bid in Hellenic League Division One West suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat at Shortwood United.
Harry Brock put Thornbury ahead in the second half, only for Shortwood to hit back through Luke Soule’s penalty and a late strike from Adam Philp.
» Shirehampton extended their lead at the top of the Somerset County League to nine points with a 3-2 win at Westfield.
Mendip Broadwalk are up to second following a 6-1 victory against Worle, while Clevedon United slipped to third after a 1-0 defeat at Stockwood Green.