(Above) - Grant Johnson, Dave Bissex (Paulton Rovers Chairman), Mark Huband, Braeden Symes (Man of the Match), Paulton Manager John Rendell, Liz Hardman

Friday night saw a really excellent game of football from both sides before a crowd of 300 for Paulton Rovers first pre season friendly of the season.

Paulton fielded no fewer than five local players, four of whom were born in Paulton a fact unheard of in Southern League circles.

Manager John Rendell has brought in an experienced keeper in Joe Perry, in central defence Charlie Hitchings has been joined by the towering figure of Craig Allan returning to the club whilst full backs Mason Harrison and Ali Sen having progressed through the youth team belie the fact that they are only 17 years old.

The hosts stated brightly as Ed Butcher had a shot blocked and from the resultant corner Hitchings shot was saved by 'Gas' keeper Liam Armstrong. In response Alex Battle low drive was held by Perry and then put through by Theo Widdrington, Battle fired wide.

Paulton's strike force of Ryan Gay and Jake Sloggett both of whom also came through the youth ranks were combining well with centre forward Ben Bament with Butcher supporting in a free role that the visitors were finding hard to deal with. Bament yet another who figured at the club as a youngster.

Sloggett and Bament both tested the able Armstong whilst at the other end Widdrington fired a free kick over the bar and Battle brought a save from Perry who recovered from slipping on the greasy turf.

On the stroke of half time Paulton went ahead after excellent build up play from central midfielders Brad Abrahams and Braeden Symes found Butcher who split the Gas defence for Bament to run on to and slot the ball into the net.

The crowd were still taking their places after a half time cup of tea when Paulton made it 2-0. Harrison broke down the right interchanged with Symes then Abrahams before his cross found Gay on the left and his turn and cross was played to Bament who controlled the ball and slammed low past Armstrong.

Bament then had another chance as Sloggett crossed but the striker did not get sufficient power on his header.

Both sides made a number of substitutes with Rendell blooding more youth team players whilst the visitors looked to reduce the deficit.

The Gas proved their full time credentials as Dan Hawkins and Battle brought fine saves from the Paulton stopper who then saved superbly at close range first from Mason Raymond then Tom Mehew the latter worthy of figuring on Match of the Day.

This win Paulton's third out of four so far shows a lot more promise out of the ashes of last seasons poor run. Next up is a trip to face Longwell Green on Tuesday 23 July K-0 7-30 then away next Saturday at Keynsham Town K-O 3-00 with the next home friendly on Friday 2 August with Chipping Sodbury the visitors again a 7-30 pm kick off.

The match was sponsored by Paulton Labour Party with local councillors Liz Hardman and Grant Johnson (who is Paulton Rovers Reserve team secretary) and the prospective candidate for North East Somerset Mark Hubands presented the Thatchers Reserve Cider man of the match award to Braeden Symes.

Labour Party Parliamentary candidate Mark Huband said: "It was fabulous to
see Paulton Rovers secure the victory they deserved. Perseverance really
paid off - it shows what you can achieve if you keep a cool head and work as
a team. It was a great honour to award the man-of-the-match prize, at the
end of a great evening."