PAULTON ROVERS 6 TAUNTON TOWN 3

Both sides fielded a mixture of youth and experience, with Paulton taking the honours and are through for a home tie against Winchester City in the Quarter Final (Tuesday, 14th January).

Rovers went in front on 7 minutes as Dave Sims-Burgess cut in from the right, rode two tackles and found Marcus Day, who drove the ball low past Peacocks’ keeper, Lloyd Irish. Taunton’s first chance saw Dan Sullivan’s shot blocked by home skipper, Charlie Hitchings, then Jamie Price headed over from James Short’s corner.

Youngster, Mason Harrison, was combining down the right with Sims-Burgess and set up Ed Butcher, whose dipping volley was tipped over by Irish. Butcher whipped in a swinging corner from the right, which was unfortunately fisted into his own net by Irish to make it 2-0. Day continued to be a problem to the visiting defence with his jinxing runs, and on 42 minutes he made it 3-0, shooting home after being set up by Sims-Burgess. On half-time, Price brought a fine save from Rovers’ 18-year-old keeper, Aaron Sainsbury.

Paulton started the second half well as Symes split the Taunton defence for Butcher’s low cross to tangle in Sims-Burgess’ legs as he looked certain to add to the tally. Sims-Burgess made it 4-0, racing on to Butcher’s through ball, only to be brought down by Irish. His penalty evaded the keeper’s low dive on 55 minutes.

Within a minute, Taunton pulled one back as Short’s shot was blocked and he followed up to score.

Rovers made it 5-1 on 58 minutes as Withey’s free kick was turned home by Hitchings, then Sainsbury saved the shot from Price. On 68 minutes, Paulton made it 6-1 as sub, Jake Sloggett’s low cross was turned home by Craig Allan.

Later on, Short’s deflected shot deceived Sainsbury to reduce the deficit, and in the final minute after an injury stoppage, Taunton did not play the ball back to their opponents, and Short fired home.