Paulton Rovers 3 
Slimbridge 2

The warm sun seemed to have a soporific effect on Paulton’s first half display and this encouraged Slimbridge to play better.

Mike Ilea and Nuno Felix made important challenges to prevent Slimbridge’s tricky wingers, Marley Thomas and Edjidja Mbunga, providing clear opportunities. But the pressure on the Paulton defence was building and it was no surprise when, in the 20th minute, some slick midfield interplay allowed Dunbar to fire past Sainsbury to give the Swan’s a deserved lead.

The need for the Rovers midfield to support their defenders meant that Kyle Tooze was left to battle on his own up front, but David O’Hare managed a shot which caused Lewis Adams in the Slimbridge goal.

In the 39th minute, Tooze beat a defender before firing emphatically past Adams for a fine equalising goal.

The momentum swung in Paulton’s favour and in the 67th minute substitute Ed Butcher’s trickery and pace drew a foul from Swan’s defender Ben Prictor. Kyle Tooze gave Adams no chance with the resulting penalty.

Sainsbury was forced to make a full length save from Mbunga, but then, in the 73rd minute, Tooze’s strength allowed him to shoot powerfully from a narrow angle against the bar. David O’Hare was on hand to to make it 3 -1.

But Slimbridge were not done, and in the 79th minute, their substitute Ben Hands, from 25 yards, smashed an unstoppable shot over Sainsbury in the home goal to make the score 3 -2.

Men of the match: Kyle Tooze – two goals and an assist/Mike Ilea – fine clearing headers and distribution/Aaron Sainsbury – dependable and secure.