PAULTON ROVERS 0 CIRENCESTER TOWN 1

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off for Royal Marine, Ethan Jones, who tragically lost his life recently on manoeuvres in Cornwall.

Ethan, who was from Westfield, and his family have a long-standing involvement with Paulton Rovers FC and his grandfather, Terry Ruddock, is a former player.

A poor game with little in the way of flowing football saw a first period where both sides nullified each other as Paulton lost the influential Ed Butcher through injury. Before he limped off, he hit a free kick from thirty yards, which bounced wickedly and had to be turned over the crossbar by veteran keeper, Kevin Sawyer.

A Rovers’ move down the left from Nuno Felix found Dave Sims Burgess who laid the ball back to Dave O’Hare who brought a save from Sawyer. O’Hare, returning to the club after a three year absence, was linking well with Sims Burgess.

The Centurions had two great chances as Lewis Thompson’s shot was turned away by young keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, who on the stroke of half-time again thwarted the visitors’ striker who met a cross from Tom Anderson with a firm header.

A long ball on the restart fell to Marcus Day who blasted over. Cirencester’s response saw Josh Nelmes’ unmarked head over from Anderson’s corner from the left. Ben Bament, on for Butcher, broke down the left and his goal-bound shot was blocked by Nelmes on seventy minutes. Two minutes later, Cirencester scored the only goal as left back, Will Tunnicliff, headed home Anderson’s corner from the left. O’Hare set up Day, who again blasted over as Rovers looked far from scoring on the day.

The team wore Footywatch charity tops during their warm-up and presented a cheque for £100 to Andy Stone for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

As The Journal went to press, the First Team were due to play Away to AFC Totton on Tuesday. This Saturday, the side are Away to Barnstaple Town, kick-off at 3 p.m., with the coach leaving the club at 10.45 a.m.

The Reserves are Home to Westfield A this Saturday, kicking off at 2 p.m., with the Youth side Away on Tuesday next week against Bradford Town U18s, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. On Tuesday, 18th February they are Away to Welton Rovers, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.

Tony Walsh