Paulton made a great start after four minutes when Jordan Ricketts wriggled through and slipped the ball into the net, clipping keeper, Alex Harris.
Rovers’ stopper, Keiran Hodges, made a superb save when Mike Symons’ shot was chested into his path by John Mills.
Symons levelled on fifteen minutes, after a run by Aussie right back, Jimmy Oats, found Tristan Plummer, whose low cross was turned home by the Hereford striker.
Four minutes later, the Bulls went ahead after Mike McGrath’s right wing corner was headed home by Clayton Fortune.
On 26 minutes, a free kick by Jake Mawford was met by a looping header by Rovers’ skipper, Josh Ford, which Harris did well to tip over. Hodges saved from Mills, then was out quickly to blunt the same player.
Paulton threatened from the restart, but Hodges was busy again, saving from Rob Purdie twice in as many minutes. Kailan Gould cut in from the right, as Rovers sought to find the equaliser. Hodges again made excellent saves from Jamie Molyneux and Mills.
Hereford made it 3–1 on 72 minutes, as Molyneux and Mills combined to set up Plummer to fire home.
In the final minutes, centre back, Joe Chandler, barged forward and hit a sweet shot narrowly over the bar with Harris beaten.
Star/Man of the Match: Keiran Hodges (Paulton).
The First team were away on Tuesday evening as The Journal went to press against Barnstaple Town in the Quarter-Final of the Southern league Challenge Cup. See report online from Wednesday at: www.mnrjournal.co.uk
They face Shortwood United away on Saturday, 14th January, kick-off at 3 p.m. and at Wimborne Town next Tuesday, 17th January, kick-off at 7.45 p.m.
The Youth team are home to Odd Down on Thursday, 12th January, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
The Sunday XI fixtures for the New Year have not been issued yet by the Bath Sunday league.
The club last week announced that Rovers’ striker, Will Hailston, has decided to return to Toolstation Premier Division side, Bristol Manor Farm, where he spent last season.
A spokesperson for the club said: “As a local lad who came through our Under-18 side, we are sorry to see him leave, but thank him for his efforts this season and wish him well with his new club.”
Tony Walsh