BARNSTAPLE TOWN 1 PAULTON ROVERS 5

Paulton got back to winning ways overcoming a determined, battling young Barnstaple side. Rovers dominated the early stages with home keeper, Adam Seedhouse-Evans saving from Ed Butcher, Lee Ibrahim and Dave O’Hare.

Jake Sloggett had a great chance bringing another fine save from the Barnum stopper.

Paulton played some lovely possession football but did not take the lead until the 40th minute from Ed Butcher’s corner on the right caused chaos in the Barnstaple defence and Dave O’Hare headed home.

Four minutes later it was 2–0 as Butcher’s deep cross from the left was turned by Leighton Tuodolo to Sloggett, who fired home.

At half-time centre half Dan Dempsey limped off injured and O’Hare dropped back to partner new signing Neil Martin and another debutant, 18-year-old Will Harvey came on at centre forward.

On the restart, Charlie Wright had the first shot for Barnstaple, which Rovers’ keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, easily held. Butcher was proving a thorn in the home defence with his surging runs down the left and three times Harvey had great chances to open his account.

Ibrahim’s shot was spilt by Seedhouse-Evans, who again saved from Harvey. On 58 minutes, Harvey found Sloggett, who laid the ball wide to Tuodolo, whose cross was slammed home by Butcher to grab Paulton’s third.

Sainsbury was alert to save from Rhys Thomas and the diminutive Grady Packard, but on 72 minutes, Barnum pulled a goal back as Jacob Evans’ shot was parried by Sainsbury and Harry Bamford, following up, drove the ball home.

Sloggett’s response was to thunder a shot that hit the underside of the cross bar that then bounced to safety.

On 82 minutes, Harvey made it 4–1, neatly turning home Butcher’s cross.

Four minutes later, Rovers completed the rout as Sloggett’s long cross field cross found substitute, Adam Kelly, who passed to onrushing right back, James Byrne to volley home.

Ladies’ section: Sunday, 26th September

- First Team won 10–0 at Swindon Supermarine in their first league game at Tier 6, Alex Gwyther scoring 4.

- Reserves lost a tight and entertaining home game against Pen Mill Ladies 5–3 in the league.

- Development drew 1–1 at Burnham United Reserves with an 88th minute equaliser by Jasmine Ford, in the league. Tony Walsh