BASINGSTOKE TOWN 0 PAULTON ROVERS 1
Paulton ground out a win after defending a stiff wind in a first half, where both sides had chances.
Joe Hillard set up Ed Butcher only to be stopped by Basingstoke Captain, Dean Stow. Stow then saw his header held by Rovers’ Keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, who then saved from Ben Cook. On eleven minutes, Butcher rounded Stow and hammered a swerving left-footed shot that cannoned off the post.
Hillard’s cross from the right was headed goal-bound by Dave O’Hare, which brought a fine save from home custodian, Aaron Watkins.
Stow had the first effort on the restart, but Rovers responded as O’Hare nearly found Ben Bament.
Paulton had a shout for a penalty as Dave Sims-Burgess stayed on his feet, despite being fouled as he drove into the penalty area.
Butcher’s cross from deep was tipped over the bar by Watkins, who was again alert on seventy-five minutes as substitute, Jake Sloggett’s cross found Butcher, whose pass to Bament was turned by the keeper for a corner.
Butcher’s left footed in-swinging effort from the right sailed past Watkins and into the net to put Paulton ahead.
In the final five minutes, Basingstoke applied an immense amount of pressure and Ben Withey was on hand to clear Stow’s shot off the line.
Star Man of the Match was Dean Stow for Basingstoke Town.
Tony Walsh