Paulton Rovers deservedly won their historic first game as a Southern League Premier side, overcoming a physical Cirencester Town.
Nick McCootie should have opened Rovers' account on four minutes, dribbling past several defenders and around keeper, Garner, only for a superb last-ditch tackle from Ben Pictor to stop a certain goal.
They did go ahead after 26 minutes, when Jon Davies rode a tackle and found Brandon Barnes, who hit a cracking shot across Garner.
Cirencester levelled two minutes later, when Jamie Reid headed home from Ben Wells' corner. Paulton were denied what looked a certain handball from Jamie Edge from Barnes' firm shot.
Rovers piled on early second-half pressure, as, before five minutes in, McCootie went on a dazzling run, turned and twisted before creating enough room to plant the ball into the net across Garner to make it 2–1.
Barnes then blasted over the bar from five yards out, Lacey combined with McCootie and shot wide and Olly Knowles, not to be outdone by McCootie, raced past the visiting defence and shot narrowly wide. Nat Jarvis nearly got Town back on level terms by outjumping Rovers goalie, Kyle Phillips, only for the ball to run wide of the post. Nick McCootie was named Man of the Match for Paulton Rovers.
In signing news, Paulton Rovers' Boss, Nick Bunyard, is delighted to announce the signing of Ashley Williams, from Mangotsfield United. "Ash is a lad myself and Paul Milsom have been a fan of for a long time now and it's great to finally bring him to the club. He's been a player we've felt would be a great signing for us, but circumstance has meant the timing wasn't right until now. With the long-term injury to Club Captain, Dan Cleverley, we were left with huge boots to fill and we needed to replace his experience, leadership, consistency, versatility and combatitive qualities. With Ash, we get all of those things.
"We have had a turbulent pre-season campaign to say the least and we've lost some great players and, more importantly, some great characters, but Ash goes a long way to softening the blow and I think with possibly one or two more additions over the next month, we'll be in good shape.
"We are under no illusions – it is going to be a transitional season for us in terms of the squad and the level, but we have a realistic remit this season and we are looking to put foundations in place for the club to sustain this level of football."
Paulton Rovers are away this Saturday, 16th August to Poole Town, kick-off at 3 p.m., then on Monday night at 7.45 p.m., they are away to Hitchin Town in Hertfordshire. Stuart Tovey, Manager, Nick Bunyard, and Assistant Manager, Paul Milsom, are available after suspension, but Josh Klein-Davies and Dean Evans are both banned until the end of the month.