Paulton completely overwhelmed Arlesey Town in the clubs' first-ever meeting. The Bedfordshire side had parted company earlier in the week with former Manager, Rufus Brevett. The former Fulham and West Ham player left by mutual agreement.
Rovers started at a high tempo and they went ahead in the second minute when Jon Davies' low cross was turned into his own net by giant centre half, Mark Gallagher.
It was 2–0 four minutes later after Brandon Barnes was fouled on the left wing. Davies' free kick was fumbled by Arlesey keeper, Nick Thompson, and Scott Wilson was on hand to tap home into an empty net.
Paulton continued to drive forward and in the thirteenth minute, Captain, Scott Brice, narrowly headed over the crossbar from a right wing corner.
Rovers made it 3–0 on sixteen minutes, when Davies broke down the right wing. His cross flicked off a defender and striker, Wilson, stroked the ball home from fifteen yards out.
Arlesey pressed, but solid Rovers defending by Brice, his fellow centre back, Jordy Nkunga, and full-backs, Shayne Anson and Sam Teale, meant keeper, Kyle Phillips, was rarely troubled.
It was only a matter of time for Paulton to add to their tally and they did so after 37 minutes. Phillips threw the ball to Anson, who found Barnes on the left. He hit a deep ball down the line for Wilson to run on to, outpacing the visiting defence. He ran thirty yards and cut in from the left, shooting across Thompson and into the net.
Four minutes later, the impressive Darren Jefferies, who has returned to the club after a spell playing professionally in Sweden, found Davies. He and Wilson played a delightful one-two, only for Davies to shoot narrowly wide.
Arlesley brought on big striker, Hallelujah Basmel, for the second half and although he added missing power, he did not prove to be 'The Blues' saviour.
Rovers should have scored again on 51 minutes after Barnes intercepted a loose Arlesey pass. Instead of trying to score himself, he unselfishly laid the ball to Wilson, whose shot was easily held by Thompson.
Two minutes later, Wilson made amends, bagging his fourth to make it 5–0. In similar vein to his last goal, he ran in from the left to shoot past a despairing Thompson.
Substitute left winger, Arafat Kabaye, came on after 57 minutes and led the visitors in a period of pressure, testing the Paulton defence.
Rovers brought on Dean Evans, having recovered from injury and he was barely on the pitch for four minutes when he won a header out to Barnes, whose cross was met by Evans to head home to make the score 6–0. Paulton pressed on to increase their lead, with Ashley Williams, Wilson, Barnes and Evans all going near.
However, it was the visitors who responded with a late flurry as Town rallied with James Hatch pulling one back in the 83rd minute and Steffen Bailey adding a second on the stroke of full-time. There were a number of players in an all-round team performance who could have won Man of the Match, but Scott Wilson was chosen for his four-goal strike.
The First Team were due to be away on Wednesday night this week to Frome Town and this Saturday travel to Dorchester Town, kick-off at 3 p.m. On Boxing Day, Rovers entertain Chippenham Town, kick-off is 3 p.m.
The Youth Team will travel to Yate Town on Wednesday and next Thursday, 18th December, are home to Portishead Town, kick-off at 7.30 p.m.
The Sunday XI won 8–1 at Farrington Albion in the Third Round of the Stan Milsom League Cup and this Sunday, Paulton, who play in Division Five, are home in the quarter-final to Bath and District Sunday First Division side, Livingstone Villa, kick-off at 10.30 a.m.