Paulton's rearranged fixture against Stratford Town proved something of a first-half disaster as they surrendered their top-of-the-table spot.
Paulton went four goals down in a dysfunctional first half display, yet nearly got a deserved point in 'a game of two halves'. Rovers had an enterprising start, with no real penetration as Town played flowing football with striker, Matt West, as their target up front.
West opened the scoring with a header after 25 minutes, as a deep cross was headed back across goal by Evans. Four minutes later, West added his second when Adkin's through-ball allowed him to outpace the home defence and shot home past Kyle Phillips in the Paulton goal. Statford pushed forward and West saw his hat-trick chance saved by Phillips.
In the 32nd minute, Town went 3–0 up as Richard Gregory cut in from the left to hit a piledriver into the roof of the net. Paulton tried to hit back with Ben Lacey and Jake Harris linking up to give James Billing a shooting chance, which was blocked. It was no surprise to see Stuart Hendrie dribble through a Rovers defence at 'sixes and sevens' to make it 4–0 for the visitors.
On the stroke of half-time, Paulton should have pulled one back when Billing outjumped Town keeper, Sam Brady. The ball fell to Mike Perrott, but his shot was too firm and struck the bar and went over.
Rovers showed a totally different approach in the second half, with Marcus Mapstone heading narrowly wide from a Brandon Barnes' free kick after a foul on Billing. On 51 minutes, Paulton Captain, Dan Cleverley, was tripped in the box and Barnes converted the resultant penalty. Nick McCootie, on as substitute, was making a difference, creating chances and trying shots which were keeping Brady busy.
Lacey hit the post in the 69th minute and McCootie, Billing and Barnes all had shots narrowly wide. Six minutes from time, West ran on to a Richard Gregory pass only to be hauled down by substitude, Ollie Price. Phillips made a great save from Gregory's spot kick.
On the ninetieth minute, Mapstone stroked the ball down the left wing for Barnes to run onto and defender, Scott Brice, who had pushed up in a last ditch Rovers' attempt to score, did so with the clinical finish of a goal poacher. Paulton kept up the intense pressure and in time added on, Billing's shot took a wicked deflection off McCootie to make it 4–3 to Rovers.
If Rovers had defended better, they may have gotten a point, but on this performance, they need to tighten up that defence.
Paulton Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Dave Thompson, Mike Reaney (sub Ollie Price), Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Brandon Barnes, Mike Perrott (Dean Evans), Ben Lacey, Dan Cleverley, James Billing, Jake Harris (Nick McCootie). Subs: Josh Jeffries, Josh Klein-Davies.
This Saturday, 21st September, Paulton are home to fellow promotion contenders, Merthyr Town, kick-off at 3 p.m. and on Tuesday, 24th September, visit Bridgwater Town, kicking-off at 7.30 p.m.
Paulton were due to play at Cirencester Town on Saturday, 28th September, but as they won their FA Cup First Qualifying Round last Saturday, that game will have to be rearranged as they will play their next round on that date.
Tony Walsh