PAULTON ROVERS 2 BRISTOL ROVERS U23 0
Friday night saw a really excellent game of football from both sides before a crowd of 300 for Paulton Rovers’ first pre-season friendly this season.
Paulton fielded no fewer than five local players, four of whom were born in Paulton – a fact unheard of in Southern League circles.
Manager, John Rendell, has brought in an experienced keeper in Joe Perry; in central defence, Charlie Hitchings has been joined by the towering figure of Craig Allan, returning to the club, whilst full-backs, Mason Harrison and Ali Sen, having progressed through the youth team, belie the fact that they are only seventeen-years-old.
The hosts started brightly as Ed Butcher had a shot blocked, and from the resultant corner, Hitchings’ shot was aced by ‘Gas’ keeper, Liam Armstrong. In response, Alex Battle’s low-drive was held by Perry, and then put through by Theo Widdrington, with Battle firing wide.
Paulton’s strike force of Ryan Gay and Jake Sloggett – both of whom also came through the youth ranks – were combining well with centre-forward, Ben Bament, with Butcher supporting in a free role that the visitors were finding hard to deal with. Bament is yet another who figured at the club as a youngster.
Sloggett and Bament both tested the able Armstong, whilst at the other end, Widdrington fired a free-kick over the bar and Battle brought a save from Perry, who recovered from slipping on the greasy turf.
On the stroke of half-time, Paulton went ahead after excellent build-up play from central midfielders, Brad Abraham and Braeden Symes, finding Butcher who split the Gas defence for Bament to run on and slot the ball into the net.
The crowd were still taking their places after half-time when Paulton made it 2-0. Harrison broke down the right, interchanged with Symes, then Abrahams, before his cross found Gay on the left and his turn and cross was played to Bament, who controlled the ball and slammed low past Armstrong.
Bament then had another chance as Sloggett crossed but the striker did not get sufficient power on his header. Both sides made a number of substitutes, with Rendell blooding more youth team players whilst the visitors looked to reduce the deficit.
The Gas proved their full-time credentials as Dan Hawkins and Battle brought fine saves from the Paulton stopper, who then saved superbly at close-range; first from Mason Raymond, then Tom Mehew – the latter worthy of figuring on Match of the Day.
That this win is Paulton’s third out of four so far shows a lot more promise out of the ashes of last season’s poor run. Next up is a trip away this Saturday, 27th at Keynsham Town; kick-off 3 p.m., with the next home friendly on Friday, 2nd August with Chipping Sodbury the visitors; again, a 7.30 p.m. kick-off.
The match was sponsored by Paulton Labour Party with local councillors, Liz Hardman and Grant Johnson (Paulton Rovers’ Reserve Team Secretary), and the prospective candidate for North East Somerset, Mark Huband, who presented the Man of the Match award to Braeden Symes.
Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, Mark Huband, said: “It was fabulous to see Paulton Rovers secure the victory they deserved. Perseverance really paid off – it shows what you can achieve if you keep a cool head and work as a team. It was a great honour to award the Man of the Match prize at the end of a great evening.”
Tony Walsh