Westbury United 0

Paulton Rovers 1

A superb all round team performance saw Paulton move into sixth place on the edge of the playoffs before Tuesday’s trip to Southampton to face runaway league leaders Sholing.

From the start Rovers pressed and left winger Ed Butcher tormented his marker, setting up Dave O’Hare who drove over the bar. In the next move Nuno Felix left footed corner from the right was met by Dan McBeam whose shot was deflected wide.

O’Hare’s free kick found Will Hailston and his half volley was turned for another corner, from which right back Nick Hewlett headed over.

With constant down orchestrated by McBeam and Butcher on the wings and O’Hare and Dan Dempsey in the middle of the park, it was only a matter of time before Paulton took the lead.

That happened on thirty three minutes as Hailston’s shot was well saved by Westbury keeper Jonny Hill. Felix’s corner was half cleared to Butcher fully twenty five yards from goal and his low shot evaded the home defence to beat Hill to make it one-nil.

Two minutes later ‘The White Horse Men’s’ only meaningful attack saw Matt Morris fire wide. Then as Rovers responded, Hailston picked the ball up just inside the Westbury half, drive forward and from distance hit a thunderous shot superbly saved by Hill with the assistance of the crossbar.

The second half saw Rovers threaten in the same vein as McBeam, Hailston and the hardworking centre forward gave the United defence a tough time.

However this was to be the turning point, as the hosts pressed with Joe Stradley, testing keeper Aaron Sainsbury. Rovers defence of Hewlett, captain Neil Martin, Dan Restorick and Felix snuffing out the challenge of Harvey Flippance and the 6’ 5’’ Gary Higdon.

Restorick particularly has been a huge signing for Paulton managers Craig Loxton and John Durbin whilst Sainsbury made an excellent save from Higdon and he met Flipance’s cross.

O’Hare set up Butcher who fired over as Rovers pushed for a second goal.

In added time, Westbury left-back Ryan Bole hit a fierce drive against the Paulton crossbar then O’Hare’s cross should have been turned home by Morgan who missed the target.

Player of the match: Dan Resorick (Resolute performance in the heart of a resolute defence).

Last Thursday’s top of the table clash at home to Clevedon was cancelled as the visitors had a number of players in their first team.

Tony Walsh