Both sides showed great attacking skills and determination to win from the outset.

Goytre’s Owen Bancroft made a glorious effort to score a goal which was saved by Aaron Sainsbury, whilst a snappy shot by Dan Dempsey narrowly missed too, the ball flew high and wide of the goal.

But Paulton took a well deserved lead after thirteen minutes when Kyle Tooze exchanged passes with Martin Lenihan before smoothly sliding the ball beyond Brandon Powell which led to a fantastic Goytre goal.

Tooze was unfortunately thrown off his luck, because his header managed to miss the far post after a crafty corner from Dan Cottle.

Paulton continued to press on with Will Harvey and Cottle making good runs, however Goytre’s defence became very resilient with centre back Ashley Williams and full back Mike Murphy playing in a particularly impressive manner.

In the final forty first minute, Harvey fired a superb cross shot, but sadly the attempt to score failed after falling just a little bit wide of the goal, this was despite some demonstration of combining teamwork well with Tooze.

The Rovers forward position players, and Tooze in particular, repeatedly worked themselves into good areas of the pitch, but just failed to add to the scoreline.

The second half saw frequent substitutions by both managers, but real chances were few and far between as both defences remained strong.

Then Rovers looked the more likely to break the deadlock, and created several chances, but Goytre’s substitute keeper Suso made a series of good quality saves. James Byrne, with a trademark forward run, worked together well with substitute Leo Eglin whose shot for another goal flashed wide.

But in the sixtieth minute, James Byrne was adjudged to have fouled Mitchell Page in the area, and Chris Hay struck the resulting penalty to Sainsbury’s left for an equaliser.

In the seventy first minute a strong run by Paulton’s Ntiheniuka led to a corner from which Byrne had a fierce shot brilliantly saved by Suso.

Rovers spent much of the second half on the attack, but smart left wing play from Page and Fin Phillips saw the Goytre winger coolly slot the ball home, to make the score 1-2.

With Paulton pressing hard for an equaliser, Goytre broke away again and Page made it 1-3.

This was a tremendous workout for Paulton, with the new look side showing plenty of promise.

On the number of chances created, Rovers should have at least earned a draw.

Paulton man of the match went to James Byrne - unruffled at the back, strong going forward.

Noel Avis