BARNSTAPLE TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 6

Paulton were clinical in defeating struggling Barnstaple as they raced into an impressive half-time lead.

After early pressure from Barum striker, Stuart Bowker, was well marshalled by Nuno Felix, it was Rovers that threatened the game.

On fifteen minutes, Jake Sloggett’s cross from the right saw Dave O’Hare’s shot deflected and Felix’s left-footed corner from the right was headed home by O’Hare.

Six minutes later, Ben Bament’s goal-bound shot was handled on the line by Ethan Phillips, who was shown a red card and from the resultant penalty, Bament converted.

Rovers’ eighteen-year-old keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, was out sharply to save at the foot of Bowker, then Sloggett set up O’Hare, whose shot was tipped over by home stopper, Steve Oliver.

Paulton made it 3–0 against the ten men on 37 minutes as Felix intercepted on the half-way line, laid the ball down the left to Bament, whose low cross was turned into the net by O’Hare.

Four minutes later, it was 4–0 as O’Hare’s, then Bament’s shots were blocked, with the ball falling to Marcus Day to slot into the net.

Barum had a great chance on the restart as a cross by Rhys Moseley was headed agonisingly wide by Kai Fisher.

On 55 minutes, O’Hare picked up a loose ball, rounded to Fisher and fired a fierce shot past Oliver to complete his hattrick.

Paulton were mounting attacks down either flank and the hosts’ increasing indiscipline saw Captain, Liam Gregory, dismissed for a second yellow card after several repeated fouls on Sloggett.

On 79 minutes, Day laid the ball to O’Hare, who somehow missed the target and two minutes later, Sloggett sent right back, Joe Hillard, down the right and he fired over the crossbar.

Bament fed substitute, Dave Sims-Burgess, who was deemed not fit enough to start, and his flick to Day saw the youngster round his marker to drive the ball home for 6–0 on 81 minutes.

Star Man of the Match was Dave O’Hare for Paulton Rovers.

The First team are home on Saturday to close rivals, Slimbridge, kick-off at 3 p.m., then next Tuesday, 18th February, they are home again to Willand Rovers, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.

The Reserves, who beat Westfield A 2–1 at the weekend, are Away at Evercreech Reserves, kick-off 2 p.m.

The Youth team are Away on Tuesday, 18th February to Welton Rovers’ U18s, kick-off 7.30 p.m.

Tony Walsh