SLIMBRIDGE 1 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Paulton slip off the top of the table in a game of few chances, with Slimbridge scoring from a goal which looked offside.

Adam Price blasted over in the second minute for The Swans, and two minutes later, Rovers’ centre-half lobbed over after good work down the left from Nuno Felix.

There was good build-up play in midfield from both teams, and play switching from wing to wing, which on 25 minutes saw Paulton’s left-winger, Ed Butcher, win a corner, which was taken by Jake Sloggett and sailed across the home area, giving Braeden Symes a great half-chance. Slimbridge winger, Jack Horrell, twice shot wide as the stalemate went for the half-time break.

In the 47th minute, Rovers’ had a half-chance as Brad Abraham found Ben Bament, who turned and laid the ball into the path of right-back, Ben Withey, who drove over the bar. The only goal (on 53 minutes) saw Joel White sweep a ball out right to Horrell, who looked two yards offside, but he ran on to lob Rovers keeper, Joe Parry, and into the net.

Bament ran on only to be thwarted by home stopper, Lewis Adams, his opposite number, Perry, pulled off two fine saves from Horrell. Withey’s cross found Butcher, whose thunderous shot was saved at the second attempt by Lewis.

With five minutes left, sub, Ali Sen, cut in from the right and hit a wonderful curling volley that crashed against the crossbar with Lewis well-beaten. Rovers’ final pressure could not result in an equaliser.

The Reserves lost 3-2 in the Cup to Chilcompton Sports Reserves, and this Saturday, 26th October, they are away in the Tony Baxter Trophy to Peasedown Albion A with a 2 p.m. kick-off.

The next Youth Team game is home to Welton Rovers on Thursday, 7th November; kick-off 7.30 p.m. This game will also be played for the Bert West Cup, with a penalty shootout should the scores be level at ninety minutes.

Bert West, who died 26 years ago, was for many years a committee member of Paulton Rovers, and the Cup was presented by his widow, Frances, and the West family, who will be in attendance on the night.

The First Team have a rearranged away trip on Saturday to Barnstaple Town; kick off 3 p.m. The coach will leave the club at 10.30 a.m., and supporters wishing to travel should add their name to the list in the club house.

Tony Walsh