Paulton Rovers Res 8 Westfield A 0

Paulton Rovers Reserves welcomed Westfield A to the First4Pools Stadium at Winterfield Road looking to close the gap at the top of Division Two.

On the back of a 5–0 win over local neighbours, Cam Valley, Paulton went looking to raise the bar higher and didn’t disappoint.

Rovers started the first half brightly, with Jack Seymour and Harrison Newman at the heart of it, stringing passes left and right and creating numerous chances for Paulton’s front three.

The deadlock was broken when Paul Gray swung in a corner from the left and Curtis Taylor headed past the Westfield keeper.

It didn’t take the Reserves long to double the lead, when Newman managed to advance from midfield and his strike found the back of the net from 25 yards.

Several more efforts came and went for Paulton, those coming from Tyler Lane and Paul Gray.

But in the 35th minute Gray finally took his chance, when a cross from Callum Carter on the right of the penalty area found the forward, who smashed home past the keeper. With half-time approaching, Aaron Whittock made his way past Westfield’s midfield and placed the ball into the corner of the net. Half time: 4–0.

With the second half underway and with Paulton’s defence rarely tested, the Reserves looked to add to their tally. Dan Haines sent several crosses into the box which went begging, inches from the incoming threat of Gray and Lane.

Paulton were awarded a free kick in the 50th minute, Lane stepped up and his effort somehow found its way into the net to open his tally.

It was soon six when Seymour’s pinpoint pass found Gray on the left hand side and his cross fell to Lane to rifle past the keeper.

Substitute Lewis Harrison finished off a great team move, the assist coming from a fantastic Haines cross. With the onlooking Paulton keeper Will Smith rarely tested, Rovers made it eight when they were awarded a free kick thirty yards out, Paul Gray placed his effort into the top corner leaving the Westfield shot stopper no chance.

Westfield did have the last chance of the game but great defending from Darren Whitfield made sure it was another well deserved clean sheet for his side. Full time: 8–0.

With Glastonbury Reserves dropping points, Paulton Rovers’ Reserves moved within six points of the leaders and still have three games in hand.

Tuesday, 15th February’s match U18’s (A) Wells City U18’s has been postponed and rearranged for Tuesday, 22nd February, kick-off at 7.30 pm.

This Saturday, 19th February the First Team are at home to Scholing, kick-off 3 pm.

The Reserves are Away at Wembdon, kick-off: 2 pm.

On Sunday, 20th February the Ladies kick-off at 2pm: First Team against Warminster Town and the Reserves are against Ilminster Town. Darren Whitfield