Two goals either side of half-time by centre forward, Lerone Plummer, gave Blackfield the points.

A great cross by Adam Tomasso found Plummer, who inextricably placed the ball over the bar from four yards out.

Paulton lost left-back, Camen Harvey, and in a rejigged attack, Dale Evans found substitute, Ryan Gay, whose shot was blocked by keeper, Lewis Noice.

The Watersiders came out firing, and added a second as Liam Robinson drove from the edge of the box, and Rovers stopper, Rob Brown, did well to parry. However, the poacher, Plummer, was on hand to tuck home.

Liam Monelle fired wide after a Paulton move involving Joe Hillard and Sam Hedges. Monelle blasted a goal back on 56 minutes, after a fine run from the left from Aysa Corrick.

Brown then saved with his foot from Robinson, and from then on Rovers piled on the pressure. The influential Monelle was clattered and knocked unconscious, and recovered to be stretchered off the field.

Ten minutes were added as Rovers saw a shot from Withey deflected, and Trey Anderson’s shot was kicked off the line by a visiting defender. Star Man of the Match: Liam Monelle, Paulton Rovers.

Paulton Under-18s are home in the Somerset Floodlit Youth League on Thursday, 27th September to Welton Rovers. The match is also to be played for the Bert West Cup. Bert was a committee member of Paulton Rovers, who played for both teams in his heyday. He died 26 years ago, and the cup was inaugurated 25 years ago by his wife, Frances, and the West family, who will attend to present the medals.

[Editor’s note: the match has not been played at the time of writing, so no scores can be published].

The First Team are at home to AFC Totton on Saturday, 29th September; kick-off 3 p.m. Throughout September, Rovers have only played sides from Hampshire! On Tuesday, 2nd October, Paulton travel to Frome Town in the first round of the Southern League Cup; kick-off 7.45 p.m.

Tony Walsh