Paulton enjoyed a comfortable win against visiting Slimbridge. Attacking from the start, Rovers had gone close on two occasions when in the 7th minute, Will Harvey was tripped just outside the area.

Ed Butcher’s free kick crashed against the post, but Harvey pounced on the rebound to open the scoring.

Rovers’ desire to win the ball and their collective intensity threatened to overwhelm Slimbridge. George Fowler was a key figure in front of the defence, controlling the play with skill and vision, while Butcher and Harvey were constant attacking threats.

With Lee Ibrahim chasing down opponents, winning the ball in midfield and creating opportunities, Paulton were in complete control.

Following another bout of Rovers pressure, a scramble in the Slimbridge goalmouth ended with Butcher forcing the ball over the line for Paulton’s second.

In the 22nd minute, a terrific forward pass from David O’Hare sent Leighton Thomas away to shoot beyond Lewis Adams in the Slimbridge goal for a third. This was Thomas’s fifteenth goal of the season, making him the leading marksman in this division.

Defender Dan Dempsey fancied some of the action and ran the length of the field only to see his pass come to nothing as Butcher was caught marginally offside.

Another marauding run by Butcher in the 28th minute ended with a pass to Harvey who scored his second and Rover’s fourth with a fierce cross shot.

A shellshocked Slimbridge tried hard to stem the tide and put together some decent passing moves, but were unable to penetrate the Rovers defence. Neil Martin and Dempsey form a solid unit, and with Aaron Sainsbury communicating well from his penalty area, the Swans were limited to just two goal attempts in the entire match.

Seven minutes into the second half, Ed Butcher dispossessed the Swan’s keeper to set up Thomas for a simple tap in for Paulton’s fifth.

With the game as good as won, Rovers ‘took their foot off the gas’ and allowed Slimbridge some time and space, but the visitors were unable to threaten Sainsbury in the Rovers goal.

Leo Eglin, Nathan Brown and Thierry Swaby joined proceedings as the second half wore on, and further opportunities were created, but none taken. The Rovers faithful, growing chillier by the minute, had little cause to stamp their feet. They’d not seen the cricket score that had been threatened.

As the game petered out, Slimbridge substitute Edjidja Mbunga was tripped and William Hawes scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot.

This was a game of two halves, the first of which showed Paulton at their best – bold, incisive and good to watch. The second? Well, best forgotten. Rovers were on easy street. Paulton man of the match: Will Harvey – quick, aggressive and two fine goals.

Noel Avis