PAULTON ROVERS 4 SALISBURY 0

Paulton flew off the block, opening the scoring in the first minute as Dave Sims-Burgess fed Jake Sloggett, who hit a low, firm shot past Salisbury keeper, Gerard Benfield.

With both sides resting players, the respective benches looked strong, with Rovers’ two leading scorers amongst them.

The visitors had a great chance as Toby Holmes ran through with only Rovers keeper, Joe Perry, to beat, but shot wide. Ali Sen made it 2-0, finishing off a lovely move started by Cam Shorney in at right-back, that was played in by Ryan Gay, whose pass to Sims-Burgess saw the striker feed the eighteen-year-old left-winger.

Craig Allan and Captain, Charlie Hitchings, were marshalling Holmes and former Bristol City striker, Leroy Lita, and on 25 minutes, Rovers made it 3-0 as Brad Abraham won a tackle in midfield and found Sims-Burgess, who chipped the ball over Benfield.

With everyone expecting a second half response from Salisbury, it was Paulton who continued on top, and Sloggett hit the crossbar on 49 minutes. He then started a move with Ben Withey, who set up Ed Butcher who hit narrowly over.

Gay then had a goal disallowed for offside, as Salisbury tried to build, with little effect. To add to the visitors’ misery, their centre-half, Elliot Wheeler, was shown a second yellow card a minute after his initial booking, and awarded the resultant red card.

On 72 minutes, Paulton made it 4-0, as Benfield gave the ball away which Sen fastened onto to lay to Butcher, who had only to slot into the open goal.

They should have added to the score as Sloggett’s run found Bament, who – with the goal at his mercy – hit the post. Sloggett also hit the post in the dying minute, and Bament brought a save from Benfield while Butcher shot wide.

Rovers’ defence looked impenetrable, with Allan and Hitchings outstanding and Perry keeping another clean sheet. What a performance – four goals without conceding for the second game in succession. This marks Rovers’ best start to the season since promotion to the Southern League in 2004.CIRENCESTER TOWN 2 PAULTON ROVERS 4Paulton defeated a well-organised Cirencester side to move to top of the League and win their sixth consecutive game.It was end-to-end stuff early on, and Paulton’s defence of Joe Hillard, Ben Withey, Captain Charlie Hitchings and the impressive Craig Allan held firm. Up front, Braeden Symes nearly put Rovers in front, heading wide.Cirencester had a five-minute period of sustained pressure, with Aiden Bennett twice hitting the post, before Rovers’ keeper, Joe Perry, pulled off two consecutive saves from Jack Freeman and John Dennis.When it seemed Paulton had withstood the danger, the hosts took a 38-minute lead through the equally impressive Forest Green Rovers’ loanee, Ollie Artwell, who struck a powerful volley from outside the box. However, Cam Shorney levelled three minutes later with a well-struck free-kick that took a slight deflection.The visitors went ahead on fifty minutes as a long clearance from Perry saw Jake Sloggett out-jump his taller marker to send Dave Sims-Burgess through and slot his shot past Lewis Clayton in the Town goal.Six minutes later, Rovers added to the tally after a slick move started by left-back, Withey, saw him play a one-two with Sims-Burgess to dink a lovely ball over the defence, and leading scorer, Ben Bament, raced on to whack a firm half-volley past the hapless Clayton. Minutes later, Sims-Burgess appeared to trip in the penalty area, but the referee waved ‘play on’.On 68 minutes it was 4-1. As Allan cleared to Withey, he played the ball up the left where Bament held off a challenge from Shayne Anson to send Butcher aound the keeper and slot into an empty net.Artwell hit the post, and following up, Freeman hit the crossbar as the Centurions pressed to reduce the defecit. Rovers’ response saw a well-taken corner on the right by sub, Ali Sen, find Bament, who twice had his shot blocked. In the 94th minute, Cirencester were awarded a soft penalty and Alan Griffin scored, although Perry got a hand to the ball.This Saturday, 12th October, Rovers are at home in the qualifying round of the FA Trophy to fellow Southern League Division One South side, Willand Rovers; kick-off 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Youth Team are home on Thursday, 17th October to Keynsham Town U18s; kick-off 7.30 p.m.Tony WalshPAULTON ROVERS RESERVES 3 EVERCREECH RESERVES 2After two defeats from their last two games, Paulton needed a positive from this one. With their first-choice keeper out with an ankle injury, they had to make changes in their team selection, with veteran midfielder, Dave Hall, taking the gloves.Rovers started the game moving the ball around nicely, and it wasn’t long until they created an opening. Dominating the play, it was unexpected when they went behind from a very good own-goal from Jon Filer, it has to be said.Paulton got back level on 31 minutes when Jenkins headed in from a corner. It was two on 34 minutes when Dowling netted from close-range. Evercreech levelled before half-time when the Paulton keeper fumbled the ball from a free-kick which fell to an advancing player to slot home.The second half saw Evercreech push hard and pressure the home side more, and they created some good chances. Paulton made four substitutions midway through the second half to inject fresh legs, and it started to pay dividends as they were finding space in behind with really good football.On 68 minutes, Boateng slotted home after a very good move that saw them pass the ball from flank to flank and a final ball into the box, which was finished coolly.Wayne Roberts