STOKE ROVERS 2 PAULTON ROVERS RESERVES 3

In blustery winter like conditions both sides battled well with Paulton edging the result.

The visitors went ahead on fifteen minutes after Drew Lovelock seized onto a loose ball to fire home.

Three minutes later a great cross from the right was superbly headed home in excellent fashion by Paul Gray to make it 2-0.

Stoke pulled a goal back on twenty three minutes as Chris Brimble picked the ball in midfield and hit a long dipping shot from fully 25 yards past Rovers keeper, Simon Chivers.

Rovers defender, Josh Johnson was having a sound game whilst Curtis Taylor in midfield was carving out numerous opportunities.

For Stoke, Brimble was creating chances for the hosts.

In the second half, Brimble twice had good chances and on the hour mark hit the post with a thunderous shot.

On eighty-three minutes Paulton increased their lead as they broke through the home defence and the ball fell to JJ Draper to drive a low shot home.

In the dying minutes, Shane Brett scored to reduce the deficit for Stoke.

Tony Walsh