MELKSHAM TOWN 0 v 2 PAULTON ROVERS

Paulton got back to winning ways with their third game in a week against a lively match last Friday night.

The match was broadcast live online at Somer Valley FM. Listen again by clicking HERE.

Rovers started off dominating play and after neat move from full back by Keiran Baggs involving Mike Bryant and Jon Davies the ball found Brandon Barnes to drive passed Tom Drewitt to make it 1-0 for the visitors after only four minutes.

It was all Rovers as youngster Tyson Pollard brought a fine save from Drewitt and Dean Evans twice drove wide.

Evans made it 2-0 after twenty one minutes picking up a loose ball he rifled it past Drewitt,

Town were pushing and testing Paulton's defence with centre forward Nick Rideout proving a handful and he drew a mistake from the otherwise solid Ryan Batten, but Batten recovered to win the tackle from the big striker.

The second period started with more of the same from the visitors, gradually Melksham responded and eased back into the game. Former Rovers manager now in charge at Town got his side to up their game inspired by Mike Perrott who will be on dual forms with both clubs. A hero of last season promotion chase, he has problems committing to Southern League football because of the travelling.

Dave Thompson brought a save from Kyle Phillips and on fifty minutes Melksham were awarded a penalty when Batten fouled Ash Bennett. Perrott's penalty to the bottom left was superbly saved by Phillips.

Town had two excellent chances to score first though Rideout blocked by Batten. Then Phillips saved from substitute Dan Kovacs
.
Davies working tirelessly up front for Paulton shot narrowly over the bar after being played in by sub Callum Hinder another product of Rovers youth team.

Then Davies' passed to another sub Billy Vaughan whose neat delicate chip narrowly went over the bar.

Melksham hit back with Phillips again saving from Kovacs and Rideout spent too much time on the ball and Marcus Mapstone cleared.

Thompson made a last ditch tackle to prevent Evans and Mapstone headed over the bar from a last minute Barnes corner.

Melksham have unveiled and received planning permission for a state of the art new stadium and sports facilities a mile from the present ground.

Paulton's next friendlies are Monday 21 July at Larkhall Athleic then Wednesday at Shepton Mallett (which is a testimonial for Lee Bryant who not only played for both sides as well as Welton Rovers and Radstock Town) both K-O at 7-30 p.m.