[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Manor Farm score in the 95th minute to take a huge three points in an incredible game at The BS3 Services Stadium, writes Jack Davies.
Both teams really struggled in the early going as the wild winds made it difficult for anyone to get a foot hold. Ben Bament had the game’s first chance, lashing just over as a loose ball bounced towards him. Another interesting display from the officials began in the 20th minute. The Ref waved away a Farm penalty appeal for what looked an obvious handball in the area before pointing to the spot at the other end just a minute later, for a Mason Winter challenge on Ed Butcher. David O’Hare eventually converted after fighting a battle with the wind to keep the ball still. Steve Kingdon headed just over a few minutes later before Farm levelled. Bament judged the wind swirl from the long ball before finding Jayden Nielsen whose low driven cross was turned into his own net by Nick Hewlett. The game was flipped on its head after Farm got their second in as many minutes. Jake Gosling defied the wind with a superb 50-yard diagonal which Ben Bament controlled before drilling an excellent half volley into the far corner. A breathless first half continued after the half hour. Owen Howe denied the goal of the season as his 35-yard first time volley was tipped just over by visiting keeper Aaron Sainsbury. The save was worth it’s value at the other end. Ed Butcher’s free kick held up in the wind and deceived the scrambling Ben John to level the game. The first half somehow wasn’t finished there. Another superb raking ball by Gosling was brought down by Evander Grubb who showed incredible composure to lift the ball over the advancing Sainsbury for 3-2.
What the second half lacked in the goals of the first it certainly made up for with controversy. Ben Bament did incredibly well just minutes after the restart to stay on his feet despite being grappled by Paulton captain Neil Martin before he tucked the ball away. The referee halted celebrations by someone adjusting Bament as the aggressor and giving a free kick to the away side. Farm were against the wind second half but were really on the ascendancy. Nielsen’s cross clipped the cross bar before he lashed wide as the ball was recycled back to him. Farm had the ball in the net again before the hour but once again it was strangely ruled out. Bament poking past Sainsbury and despite appearing to run from behind his defender, he was called offside. Paulton levelled with their first real attempt of the half. An almighty scramble eventually led to Hewlett making up for his own goal as he swept in for 3-3. Farm had a third goal ruled out and this one was the strangest of the lot. Owen Howe swept a lovely finish in from the edge of the area but someone in the build-up was deemed offside, no explanation followed as to who. Staggeringly that wasn’t the final goal Farm would have chalked off. The apparently offside Josh Ford nodded a free kick to Farm sub Luca Ponsillo who bundled home before the flag once again halted any celebrations. Paulton had rode a heavy storm and almost stole the win just before injury time. Joe Morgan span in the area and his shot was brilliantly tipped over by John. Farm would not be denied reward for an incredible second half performance. Gosling sent in a whipped corner in the 95th minute and Howe bundled home to send the bumper Easter Monday crowd into raptures and give Farm a vital 3 points.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]