PAULTON ROVERS 0 BRISTOL CITY U-23s 3

From the start, the impressive Ayman Benarous threated down the right and in response, Rovers’ Leighton Thomas neatly threaded through to Lee Ibrahim but was well defended.

Ibrahim nicked the ball off a Robin’s defender and his low cross aimed for Dan Cottle was deflected for a corner.

City went ahead after 14 minutes as a cross from the left from Australian U-23 international, Marlee Francois was headed home by captain Joe Low.

Benarous twice laid in sublime crosses from the right and one to Francois brought a fine save from home stopper, Aaron Sainsbury.

As Rovers pressed, left back Nuno Felix put in three tackles to set up Nathan Brown who fired wide.

City added a second on 43 minutes as right back James Taylor cut down the right and his cross ricocheted to Benarous who hit a low shot past Sainsbury.

Paulton continued in the second period to threaten and at times dominate play. After Thomas was fouled, Dave O’Hare’s free kick from a fine save from replacement keeper, Lachlan.

On the hour the Robins brought on a complete new team and Cottle and Thomas pressed to reduce the arrears whilst Rovers’ sub keeper, Jack Scrivens, saved low to his left and Kelly was linking well down the right with sub, Lesley Sternbank, whose dangerous cross just eluded the on-running Ibrahim.

In time added on, City grabbed a third as Seb Palmer-Houlden rang on to fire past Scrivens.

This Saturday, the First team are away to Wimborne Town, kick-off 3 pm.

The Reserves are home to Meadow Rangers, 2 pm.