By Jon Couch
GOALKEEPER Alhaji Sesay became an unlikely FA Trophy hero – after earning his side a replay with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
The Paulton Rovers stopper, on loan from Bristol City, popped up in the box with just seconds of the match to spare to secure a 2-2 draw with Cirencester Town.
Ben Whitehead’s brace, either side of a Jack Ball equaliser, looked like earning the Cirens victory before Sesay’s towering header ensured a replay which could set up a potential second qualifying round tie with Shortwood United.
???? @PaultonRoversFC goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay became an FA Trophy hero on Saturday…
A 92nd minute equaliser vs. @CirenTownFC ???? #NonLeague pic.twitter.com/9Sy5sVXfHJ— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) October 31, 2017
And Paulton weren’t the only Evo-Stik Southern League side to be powered by men behind the sticks on Saturday.
Premier side Farnborough finished their 3-1 victory at Larkhall Athleic with two goalkeepers on the pitch after young reserve stopper Aiden Upward was thrown on as a late sub to replace injured striker Perry Coles.
Manager Spencer Day explained: “We were 3-1 up against ten men, the game was won. We pulled Perry off as a precaution and as we only had three subs, Aiden was our only choice. He’s played out on pitch at Step 5 level, so it’s certainly not alien to him.”