MELKSHAM TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 4

Paulton took their chances in a five-star performance that they have threatened in recent weeks.

Paulton were without experienced players Jamie Laird (whose wife, Hannah, gave birth to their second child), Dale Evans and Camen Harvey – the latter two are out injured. Liam Monelle surprisingly came through a fitness test to play seventy minutes, and was replaced by Jay Malpas, who recovered enough for a place on the bench.

An opening salvo from both sides saw Rovers’ eighteen-year-old keeper tested by Jon Davies and Mike Perrott, who was then sharply out to smother Brad Norris. At the other end, Jack Ball headed over, and Kent Kauppinen saved from Sam Jordan’s low drive.

Forster saved from Davies, then Withey’s cross was turned away by Kauppinen. Kyle Mountford, making his Paulton debut after moving from Odd Down, threaded through to Gay, who shot wide. On the stroke of half-time, Davies ran on and tried to dink the ball over an alert Forster.

Paulton went ahead on the restart. Ball picked the ball up on the half-way line, then dribbled past defenders for 25 yards before cracking a fine low shot into the corner of Kauppinen’s net.

After Liam Monelle fired wide, he played the ball to Ball in the penalty area, who was was fairly tackled, and as he attempted to get off the ground to reach the loose ball, he was held down by Warren Maidment. Ball then stepped up to slot home a penalty on 58 minutes.

The fifty-or-so loyal Rovers supporters in the crowd of 454, who have followed the club through thick and thin, were rewarded with third goal on 74 minutes, as Ball set up Gay, who from a narrow angle, thundered his shot into the net, which Kauppinen could assist on its way.

On 81 minutes, Kauppinen saved well from Gay’s volley, but two minutes later, it was 4-0 to the visitors. The central defender won a solid tackle in his own half, with Ball finding Withey down the left, and his cross was flicked home by Jordan. His delight was celebrated with a double somersault.

There was time for Paulton to bring 18-year-old, Jordan Lovibond, and sixteen-year-old youth team player, Ali Sen, to finish the game, with two other teenagers in Cormac Pike and Forster.

To watch the goals from Saturday’s game, visit: www.paultonrovers.co.uk/videos

This Saturday, 19th January, Winchester City visit Winterfield Road; kick-off 3 p.m.

Tony Walsh