Paulton’s management team of John Rendell, Paul Tovey and Gary Powell were given plenty of food for thought as their squad faced Portishead for Paulton’s first pre-season friendly, played at St Bedes Catholic Academy in Lawrence Weston.
It took 23 minutes of ball possession before Joe White crossed for Camen Harvey to open the score. Four minutes later, right back, Reuben Draper, set a through ball for centre forward, Omar Simpson, to race on and score.
Rovers made it 3–0 on 34 minutes as White was tripped by the Portishead keeper and James Byrne converted the spot kick. Four minutes later, Harvey robbed the keeper to square for Simpson to tap in.
Changes made at half-time did not stop the onslaught as Simpson crossed for White to grab his second after 54 minutes. In the next minute, Aysa Connick raced on to make it 6–0 and he went on to add another three more goals in quick succession. With three minutes left, Ryan Radford broke through to complete the rout.
Rendell said: “The score is immaterial for Paulton. It gives my management team and I a lot to think about. We moved the ball around sharply, proved we know how to build up and find the net. We have over twenty good players, but will need to reduce this to probably eighteen by the start of the league season.”
Other Friendlies will see the first home match on Tuesday, 18th July, with Melksham Town as the visitors, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
Frome Town are the opponents at Winterfield Road on Tuesday, 1st August, again with a 7.30 p.m. kick-off.
The first Saturday game is on 5th August, kick-off at 3 p.m., when Paulton Rovers welcome Welsh side, Ton Pentre.
In other fixtures, Paulton will be away to the winners of Plymouth Parkway or Portland United in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, 19th August.
In the FA Trophy, to be played on Saturday, 7th October, Rovers have been drawn away to Salisbury, kick-off at 3 p.m.
The Youth team are home to Wellington AFC in the FA Youth Cup preliminary round on Thursday, 7th September, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Southern Football League has announced that the upcoming 2017/18 League Challenge Cup will be sponsored by www.bigfreebet.com.
Proceeds from the deal will contribute to developing the league and the growth in grassroots English football that has seen players such as Jamie Vardy, Ashley Barnes and Chris Smalling rise through the ranks to become elite European football athletes.
Last season saw newcomers to the League’s Premier Division, Hayes and Yeading United, defeat St Ives Town 4–2 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after normal time.
There are a number of ex-Professional players now plying their trade in the Southern Football League who are due to appear in this year’s competition, including Jamie Cook, Jamie Cureton, Barry Hayles and former Paulton player, Andy Sandell, to name a few.
Tony Walsh