Paulton travelled to previously undefeated Shortwood United on Bank Holiday Monday and came away with the three points to restore them as current league leaders.
However, despite a bright start and several shots on goal, it was Shortwoood that nearly opened the scoring in the thirteenth minute. Centre forward, Duncan Culley, raced down the right and as Paulton keeper, Lewis Pierre, came to narrow the angle, his shot across him hit first the left-hand post and then the right before going out for a goal kick.
Rovers were not as fortunate on 24 minutes when Culley dribbled past several visiting defenders to shoot past Pierre to give Shortwood the lead. Five minutes later, they made it 2–0 when left winger, Matt Bennett, attacked down the left channel and as Pierre bore down on him, he slipped the ball goalwards and despite the best effort of Rovers left back, Mike Reaney, to clear, the assistant referee adjudged the ball had crossed the line. Pierre was shown a yellow card for his attemped block on Bennett.
Within a minute, Paulton had reduced the deficit when Brandon Barnes chipped the ball from the right wing with his left foot and Mike Perrott dived to head into the bottom right-hand corner past Tom King.
Rovers then produced a flurry of chances through Josh Klein-Davies, Nick McCootie and Barnes, all of which tested keeper, King. Five minutes before half-time and Paulton were back in the game. Reaney took a long throw on the right, centre half, Scott Brice, knocked the ball into the path of Dean Evans who made no mistake from close range.
Shortwood had the final shot of the half from distance by left back, Callum Brown, which Pierre watched sail over the bar.
Paulton came out with renewed determination and vigour in the second half and only three minutes in, made it 3–2. Captain, Dan Cleverley, won the ball in midfield, his pass saw Klein-Davies split the home defence for Barnes to run onto and slide the ball home.
Sloppy defending saw United level within a minute. A long ball was chased by Ross Langworthy, who lobbed the onrushing Pierre to make 3–3. Rovers were determined to gain the upper hand and in the 51st minute, took the lead once more. A cracking move involving Cleverley, Barnes and Klein-Davies ended with a pass to Perrott, who played in McCootie who made no mistake from ten yards out.
Play became a bit scrappy and Paulton had several chances. McCootie shooting just past the post, Klein-Davies volleyed wide and Barnes had a free kick tipped over the bar by King. Shortwood had an opportunity when subsitute, Adam Mace, hit a free kick across the Rovers penalty area, only for Culley to head wide.
Klein-Davies made it 5–3 after 67 minutes on his first league start for Rovers. Cleverley played in a low pass, JDK turned swiftly and drove the ball low and hard past King from the edge of the penalty box. Paulton pushed for more and Mapstone was unlucky to see a shot blocked. Then, thirteen minutes from time, Barnes made it 6–3. Linking up with McCootie who caused a mix up in the 'Wood' defence, the ball ran to Barnes who threaded the ball home and sealed his second goal of the game.
The game continued from end to end, but it was Paulton who were more likely to score again. This result moves Paulton back to the top of the table on goal difference as one of three sides on ten points. This week, all sides in the division are in the FA Cup. Next Tuesday, unless there is a replay in the FA Cup, it's a trip down to Bridgwater Town, one of those other two unbeaten sides, the other one is Swindon Supermarine who Rovers drew 1–1 with last Saturday.
Team: Lewis Pierre, Stuart Tovey (sub. Dave Thompson 78 mins), Mike Reaney, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Brandon Barnes, Dean Evans, Mike Perrott, Dan Cleverley, Nick McCootie (Ollie Price, 85), Josh Klein-Davies (Josh Jeffries, 78). Sub: Ben Lacey.