PAULTON ROVERS 3 SLIMBRIDGE 1

Paulton sealed a deserved victory against a good, young Slimbridge outfit.

Dan Cottle slipped through a pass to Dan Dempsey, who fired over.

Nuno Felix crossed from the left for Captain Charlie Hitchings to head wide as the home side continue to press.

Hailston sent Ryan Gay down the right wing and his low cross evaded everybody in the goal area.

On sixteen minutes, Johan Flo’s cross was met by Jamie Martin, whose shot clipped the crossbar.

In the twenty-fifth minute, Tom Llewellyn set up Cottle, who saw his shot held by visiting keeper, Lewis Adams.

Sainsbury pulled off a fine save from Danny King and was again on hand to smother a through ball from Hawes.

Paulton took the lead on thirty-two minutes with a flowing move down the right hand side with Dempsey linking with Cottle and Hailston and under pressure, the ball eluded Adams and Gay bundled the ball into the net.

Slimbridge levelled on forty-four minutes when a shot by Hawes appeared to hit a Paulton player. The referee appeared to blow for a possible penalty, but the ball rolled into the net to level.

On the restart, Jackson had a shot held by Adams and in response, Flo’s cross was deflected out of Hawes’ oncoming run.

With Dempsey injured, Gay dropped back to right back and was influential in moves down the right hand side, having a low shot held by Adams after good work by Cottle and Hillston in the build-up.

Rovers were applying a great deal of pressure and on sixty-five minutes, Hailston sent the ball through to Cottle who was brought down for a penalty which was firmly converted by Dave O’Hare in fine style.

Two minutes later, Paulton increased the lead as a link-up between Jackson Cottle and substitute, Lee Ibrahim, who slipped the ball to Hailston who dribbled past his defender to hit a superb goal giving Adam no chance.

The Swans sought to get back in the game and Nick Humphreys hit a low shot narrowly past the post.

Rovers again had another penalty appeal as Hailston appeared to be brought down in the box, which was waved away by the referee.

Ibrahim weaved his way through several defenders, getting a shot which Adams held. In the final minute, there was a chance for Slimbridge substitute, Ethan Dunbar, whose effort rolled through to Sainsbury and added on time. Abraham had another effort and should have increased the score for the home side.

Star Man of the Match was Ryan Gay for Paulton Rovers.

Tony Walsh