Paulton played an exhibition friendly on Saturday, giving Manager, John Rendell, a chance to have a close look at a number of Youth Team players performing at Senior level.
The Southern League season starts on Saturday with one of the longer trips to Evesham United; kick-off 3 p.m. The coach leaves the club at 10.45 a.m. and supporters wishing to travel should add their names to the list in the clubhouse.
On Tuesday, 20th August, the first home game sees Cinderford Town visit Winterfield Road; kick off 7.30 p.m. On Saturday, 24th August, Rovers travel to Plymouth Parkway in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, after the Western League side beat Buckland Athletic 1-0 in the Extra Preliminary Round last Friday in front of a crowd of 350.
Paulton Chairman, Dave Bissex, appealed for the community to get behind the side: “With so many local lads – most of whom coming through the youth and development centre at the club – I believe we deserve better support. When you think what it costs to watch League, never mind Premier League, we offer value-for-money, and kids under fourteen coming with a paying adult can attend matches for free.”PAULTON ROVERS U18s 10 GLASTONBURY U18s 0A low shot from Alfie Williams opened the scoring on fourteen minutes. They should have added with three chances as Blaine Lawrence twice hit free-kicks wide and Alfie Blacker’s shot on target was blocked.It was not until 38 minutes that Paulton would score again, thanks to Lawrence’s through-ball to Jake Curtis, who broke to fire home. Two minutes from half-time it was 3-0, as Williams cleared and Lawrence’s cross from the right found Curtis to tuck home.On 50 minutes, Williams’ shot was cleared off the line, but a minute later, a cracking drive by Toby Thompson sailed past visiting keepe,r Jimmy Fry, for four. Paulton keeper, Sean Salter, pulled off his only save of the game, holding comfortably from Tom Smith.It was 5-0 after 61 minutes, as right-back, Marko Madaras, drove forward and played a one-two with Lawrence to slot home. Four minutes later, a run from deep by Reece Barry added another with a fierce volley past Fry.Another superlative strike on 79 minutes, this time from Tom Parfitt, made it seven. Three minutes later, it was 8-0 as an accurate free-kick deep on the left was headed home by Lawrence.Two minutes later, a left-footed corner on the right saw Gwyther deceive the Glastonbury defence to make it 9-0. Gwyther completed the rout, hitting the tenth goal with firm half-volley to seal Paulton’s dominance.Tony Walsh