Chippenham Town U23’s 0 Paulton Rovers 1

Paulton started the better of the two sides with youngster, Harley Prior, forcing Chippenham’s keeper into a top right corner save.

Rovers were in control for most of the opening encounters with Jake Sloggett’s curling shot hitting the post from close range and Dan Cottle’s free-kick palmed away by a Trialist in the Chippenham goal.

Chippenham’s first attempt came on the quarter of the hour mark with Ola Lawal’s shot palmed away by an alert Paulton keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, into the path of Mac Whitfield who could only direct straight back into Sainsbury.

Chances came and went from both sides but Paulton eventually took the lead with Sloggett’s inswinging corner meeting the head of centre half, Dan Dempsey, who flicked it on past a crowded goal line to make it 1–0.

Six minutes later, Jake Sloggett played Cottle through one-on-one with Trialist in the Chippenham goal only to chip over from close range.

On the stroke of half time, Chippenham had a good chance to level with Josh Cole’s acrobatics hitting the crossbar.

In the end Paulton came out on top, holding on for a win to end pre-season

before their opening day of the season encounter away at Cinderford.

Cinderford Town on Saturday, 14th August kick-off at 3 pm.

Paulton are then at home on Wednesday, 18th August to Devon side,

Willand Rovers with a 7.30 pm kick-off. Ciaran Skinner