ROVERS’ FIGHT IS ALL IN VAIN
SUTTON UNITED booked their place in the first round draw of the Emirates FA Cup, but were made to battle all the way by their Evo-Stik South West Division opponents.
The National League side got away to the perfect start when Kieron Cadogan burst between two defenders to lift the ball over goalkeeper Andrew Hannah, but Paulton struck back within seven minutes as skipper Josh Ford lashed a shot into the net following a right-wing corner.
Tommy Wright missed two headed chances to restore Sutton’s lead before half-time, while Simon Walton for Sutton and Joe Hillard for Paulton both saw long-range shots saved.
The game seemed to take a decisive turn in Sutton’s favour as, playing down the slope, they struck twice in the first nine minutes of the second half.
First Cadogan arrived to meet Wright’s low cross with a firm leftfoot first-time shot a minute after Jack Ball had squandered a good chance at the other end.
Louis John then added a third with a downward header from a fine Aswad Thomas cross, and Sutton appeared to have done the hard work.
The outstanding Cadogan hit a post, and Craig Dundas saw a shot blocked by Hannah’s legs; but with 15 minutes to go, substitute Dave Sims forced the ball in with his first touch after Butler had spilled a cross from the right, and soon afterwards Dale Evans sent a free-kick straight at the Sutton keeper.
That was Sutton’s only scare in the last ten minutes as they saw the game out, Cadogan, again, close to a hattrick with a shot that was deflected just wide.
Sutton manager Paul Doswell was delighted afterwards saying: “It’s a case of job done. We found it difficult playing up the slope in the first half, but I thought we controlled most of the second half and always felt we were comfortable, although Paulton proved every bit as tough an opponent as we expected.”
Paulton boss John Rendell admitted afterwards: “We’re disappointed because we gave away some poor goals which you can’t afford to do, but when the dust settles we should be really proud of our performance in the competition.”