Paulton Rovers suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in front of a crowd of 412 against promotion chasing, Corby Town, despite having overall even possession and as many chances as their opponents.
Cleverland Taylor had an early shot wide for 'The Steelmen' before Rovers' debutant, Scott Wilson, ran at the defence, only to be tackled by left back, Kalern Thomas. Right back, Connor Kennedy, then set up Thomas, whose shot was blocked by Tom Seary.
Paulton then created sweeping moves down the left, with Josh Klein-Davies finding Bryant, who tried to head down into Wilson's path, eventually reaching Brandon Barnes, whose shot went over the crossbar. Wilson Carvalho hit a long-range shot wide of Kyle Phillips' goal, then Thomas and Kennedy combined, but Evans cleared the danger for Rovers.
Paulton had a great chance in the nineteenth minute after Klein-Davies was fouled just outside the box. Barnes' free kick was narrowly wide, with keeper, Paul Walker, beaten.
Corby took the lead against the run of play on 28 minutes. Kennedy took a long throw from the right-hand side and the giant centre back and home Skipper, Paul Malone, was allowed to back head the ball past Phillips.
Six minutes later, following a corner, the ball was cleared to Carvalho. He played the ball high into the area and Malone, who had remained up front, outjumped Phillips to head into an empty net, to give his side a two-goal advantage.
However, it took only five minutes for Rovers to respond as their Skipper, Scott Brice, firmly headed home a right-wing corner from Barnes to make it 2–1 at half-time.
Corby were much the better side in the second half and with the visitors chasing the game, they were fortunate that they conceded only two further goals.
Substitute, Liam McInally, tried two early shots, both held by Phillips. The second producing a superb save from the Rovers stopper. Town's leading goalscorer, Malone, was causing consternation at every set piece and from a free kick by ex-Scunthorpe United player, Taylor, headed straight into Phillips' hands, bringing another courageous save by the keeper.
On 63 minutes, a Ben Milnes run down the left found Spencer Weir-Daley, who side-footed the ball past Phillips to make it 3–1. This produced the best second half period from Rovers, with Wilson beating the offside trap only for his cross to be headed away by Malone. Klein-Davies tested Walker and then should have done better, hitting a half-volley straight at the keeper.
From that opportunity, Corby broke and Weir-Daley ran on to poke the ball into the net for 4–1. With that, Paulton had three chances in as many minutes, with Wilson bringing a great save from Walker, then having a header cleared off the line by Man of the Match, Malone. Barnes fizzed a wide shot across the area.
With four minutes left, the lively Weir-Daley missed a great chance to seal his hat-trick, whilst Rovers' never-say-die attitude saw Williams' long-range effort held by Walker and Klein-Davies shoot over the bar.
Rovers then faced the four-hour journey home. It was a case of Corby taking their chances, a major factor in the Southern League Premier, which ensured they took the points.
This Saturday, Paulton host Gloucester City in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, kick-off at 3 p.m. As part of his move, Rovers cannot play Scott Wilson.
If a replay is necessary, this will be next Tuesday, kick-off at 7.45 p.m. If no replay, Rovers will be at home in the Southern League Premier to Redditch United, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
This Thursday, 25th September, Paulton's U-18s are home to Bath City in the FA Youth Cup, kick-off at 7.30 p.m., and next Thursday, away in the league to Portishead Town, again a 7.30 p.m. kick-off.