PAULTON ROVERS 4 BARNSTAPLE TOWN 0
Ben Bament hit a first-half hat-trick to put Paulton in command against Barnstaple and complete an undefeated September for the Rovers.
Bament’s pass found Ed Butcher, who brought an early save from Barnstaple keeper, Steve Oliver. He put Rovers in the lead on ten minutes after a long clearance from home stopper Joe Perry. Ryan Gay flicked on and the striker confidently drove the goal home. Five minutes later, left-back, Nuno Felix, cut in and thundered a shot against the crossbar.
A dominant Paulton added a second after 31 minutes, as Gay’s shot was handled by Mike Humphreys. Ben Bament converted the penalty low past Oliver to make it 2-0. This rallied Barum and Perry saved a header by Jack Langford before Humphreys headed over the bar. Bament completed his hat-trick, again from the penalty spot, when he was brought down by Oliver in the 43rd minute.
Barnstaple started the second half determined to get back in the game, but Dave Sims-Burgess went on a good run to win a corner for Paulton. On 57 minutes, Rovers had a goal disallowed for a foul on Oliver. Perry, largely untroubled in the first half, saved well from Barnstaple’s Jack Jenkins, while a shot by Liam Gregory sailed over the bar.
Young sub, Ali Sen, had two great chances thwarted by Oliver. Jake Sloggett dribbled past two defenders with great skill, only to shoot wide. Sloggett then combined well with Bament and Gay as Paulton piled on the pressure. On 88 minutes, Rovers completed the rout as Bament broke along the by line, and his firm cross was headed home by Gay to make it 4-0.
Paulton played Salisbury at home on Tuesday, 1st October in the Southern League Challenge Cup. This Saturday, 5th October, the First Team travel to Cirencester Town; kick-off 2 p.m. Next Tuesday, 8th October, they are at Odd Down in the first round of the Somerset Premier Cup; kick-off 7.45 p.m.
Tony Walsh