Paulton deservedly won their first result in seven games after they had the edge in a first half of few chances.
On fifteen minutes a neat move saw Will Hailston shoot wide for the home side, then followed that up with a drive parried out by keeper, Matt Wieczomek.
Bishops Cleeve had chances, with Jacob Davidge and Ieuan Crowe testing Rovers’ stopper, Andrew Hannah. Paulton’s best chance came on 36 minutes, as Jordan Ricketts’ corner was headed goalwards by Captain, Josh Ford, and blocked on the line by a defender. Four minutes from the break, Ricketts’ free kick was headed over by Alex Grimshaw.
The Mitres had the best at the start of the second half, but it was Rovers who made it 1–0 after 55 minutes as Elliott Gibbons drove across the penalty area and slipped the ball to Reeko Best, who beat Wieczomek from close range.
Kailan Gould and James Byrne were working hard and gained a series of corners for Paulton. Byrne twice fired shots from distance and Gould was a thorn in the visitors’ side.
With ten minutes left, Gould shot across goal and although it left the keeper beaten, the ball went narrowly wide. On 88 minutes, Rovers made it 2–0 as Joe Chandler found substitute, Sol Wheatley, down the left. He flicked the ball to Gould, who held off his marker to run on and slide the ball into the net.
Tuesday’s league match at Taunton Town had to be rearranged as The Peacocks travelled to Hemel Hempstead for an FA Cup replay. This Saturday, Paulton travel to Bideford, kick-off at 3 p.m. The coach leaves the club at 10.30 a.m. Supporters wishing to travel should add their names to the list in the clubhouse.
The Sunday XI drew 1–1 at home to Bath Sunday Division One leaders, Odd Down. Rovers’ goal came from Aaron Whittock. This Sunday, they are away to RAOB Chippenham, kick-off at 10.30 a.m. The youth team are home this Thursday, 20th October to Oldland Abbotonians, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
Tony Walsh