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Battling hard: Paulton Rovers never gave up against Norwich City (Pictures: Gary Bray / UNiCOM www.unicomsystems.co.uk)
Brave Paulton Rovers did their village proud with an honest, battling display in the biggest match of their 128-year history – but couldn’t live with the quality of League 1 side Norwich City as they went out of the FA Cup 7-0.
Despite creating the first-round tie’s first half chances to give hope to the home fans, four goals from Norwich striker Chris Martin and a man-of-the-match display from Irish international Wes Hoolahan were too much for the Somerset side to cope with.
Up for it: Home fans before the match
Paulton had already won through five rounds of the world-famous competition, conceding just one goal. But it was always going to be a David versus Goliath match-up with a Norwich side on a great run of form.
Captain Dan Cleverley was forced to have a pain-killing injection in his foot following a broken metatarsal – and the gamble didn’t pay off as he was forced off after 38 minutes.
But a sense of hope and excitement was in the air as the teams walked out into bright sunshine and in front of live TV cameras.
Paulton kicked off and succeeded in their aim to put Norwich under pressure quickly. An early shot from Gayle Plummer in the third minute on the volley went high and wide.
Next generation: Young fans will remember this day for years to come
James Tyrrell then hit a volley from the edge of the area on five minutes which was tipped over for a corner. Rob Claridge won the header at the far post but his effort was luckily blocked, which gave encouragement for the home fans.
In fact, the first 10 minutes belonged to Paulton and their committed attitude was shown by Claridge when the referee spoke to him for a rugged challenge.
After that initial flurry though, Norwich began to take control which they never lost for the rest of the match.
On eleven minutes Chris Martin hit the Paulton bar after an instinctive prod at a cross/shot into the area. Irish international Wes Hoolahan showed good touch and technique throughout the match, which Norwich needed to show as Paulton bit into every tackle.
Half chance: Norwick keeper Dean Ruddy under pressure
On 15 minutes though, the visitors’ nerves were eased when Grant Holt’s header back the other way from a cross down the right from Korey Smith crept inside the far post. Paulton left back Charlie Rich was left with two to mark, meaning plenty of time for the cross to be measured right on to Holt’s head.
From that moment on, Norwich began to look more composed – with good passing and movement to work Paulton defence hard – and Smith could have doubled the lead soon after but miskicked with a clear sight of goal.
Paulton tried to hit back and 18-year-old Ben Lacey showed his pace and his cross was sliced out for a corner. Rich, who was showing good quality with his left-foot crosses, then had a shot from a free kick on the edge of the area on 21 minutes which went just wide.
Worried: Delia Smith watches her beloved Canaries intently after a spell of Paulton pressure
Two minutes later though and Norwich scored their second. A corner was cleared but a slide rule pass from Hoolahan found Martin just onside one on one with the keeper and he cooly slotted home to his right.
Paulton’s confidence was drained and they nearly went three down on 26 minutes when Smith volleyed just over.
The Norwich defence was snuffing out any sight of goal and Neikell Plummer up front was beginning to show his frustration.
Despite the deficit, Paulton had won six corners in the first half hour and the ever-willing striker Rob Claridge had a chance as he ran into the area but his volley went high and wide.
After Paulton skipper Cleverley was forced off, Claridge had another half chance when a back pass to Declan Rudd was cleared straight to the battling centre forward, but his first-time shot missed the open goal. Paulton needed a break to give them hope. The part-time footballers were trying hard but the two goals against and the quality of Norwich’s passing was deflating for their spirits.
And on 42 minutes the killer third goal came. Grant Holt met a corner from the Norwich right on the run – given far too much room by the Paulton defence – and his header was too strong for the keeper to handle.
Scorer: Rob Holt, right, celebrates one of his four strikes
Josh Jeffries and Neikell Plummer were both booked as the first half drew to a close as their frustration boiled over, and half time could not come too soon for manager Andrew Jones.
The second half was a chance for Paulton to restore pride – and for 20 minutes they matched their illustrious opponents, defending well and coming close to pulling a goal back which could have changed the whole complexion of the match.
But Norwich always looked dangerous – drilled well by boss Paul Lambert, the former Celtic and Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Holt could have got his hat trick on 52 minutes when he missed a golden chance with a free header at the far post from a Hoolahan cross. He tried to place the header in them opposite corner but it fell wide.
It's mine: Paulton's young keeper Kyle Phillips makes a fine double save
Then young Paulton keeper Kyle Phillips made a good double save from Martin low to his right before pouncing on the rebound – showing the quality which has attracted interested from Bristol Rovers.
The moment the home fans were praying for came on 59 minutes. Norwich’s left winger Simon Lappin was booked for kicking the ball away from a free kick he conceded, the ball was played into the far post and Ollie Price ran in to head the ball towards goal. But instead of seeing the net bulge, Rudd made an instinctive save.
For a short while, Norwich looked rattled but soon took back control. Holt had a second chance for his hat trick when he was left one on one with Phillips but the young keeper did brilliantly to deny him.
Beaten but proud: The Paulton players applaud their fans at the end of their historic day
Norwich were finding far too much space down the wings and created a succession of chances – which the brave home defence were able to deal with.
Fitness levels in the last 20 minutes were a real concern – Paulton only train twice a week – and it was perhaps no surprise that the dam broke on 74 minutes.
A long ball down to Cody McDonald was chased down and clipped back to Martin who found Smith in the centre of the area. He moved the ball to the right to Hoolahan who curled a beauty into Phillips’ top right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
Three minutes later Martin got his second after McDonald found himself onside and able to slide a cross past Phillips for Martin to tap in at the far post for a simple goal.
After looking so strong during the second half the higher fitness levels – allied to the quality – meant Norwich looked like scoring every time they went forward.
Paulton kept at their task though and Jeffries had a volley which went high and wide and on 81 minutes, great work from Rich set Lacey free down the right. His chipped cross was tipped away to safety by a stretching Rudd.
But a minute later Martin got his hat trick with a curling free kick to the far post which Phillips should have saved but moved towards the centre of the goal at the crucial moment.
And two minutes later, Martin scored his fourth as Norwich broke. A cross from the right by Danish winger Jens Askou was met by the striker at the far post for another simple finish, this time with his head.
The rout was complete as a rainbow formed over the tiny ground – packed with a 2,000-plus crowd. There may be no FA Cup glory for Paulton at the end of that rainbow, but the tiny club will have already received their pot of gold for such a great run in the competition – not to mention a lifetime of great memories and pride.
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