PAULTON ROVERS 7 ASHTON & BACKWELL UTD 1

Rovers duly progressed to the next round of the Somerset Premier Cup but it was far from the easy ride the final score line would suggest as the visitors acquitted themselves well throughout.

With both sides guilty of spurning early chances it was the home side who made the breakthrough on 23 minutes, as a ball down the right channel was collected by Ben Lacey, whose right foot shot was well saved by the keeper, Lewis Coombes, only for Lacey to collect the rebound and cross for Darren Jefferies to slot home.

United looked to have a case for a penalty when on 40 minutes the lively Leon Britton went down under a challenge from Ashley Williams only for the referee to waive play on.

However the visitors were given a spot kick 4 minutes after the interval when Britton again went to ground, this time from a challenge by Adam Flint and Connor Flicker made no mistake slamming home the penalty high into the roof of the net.

Having deservedly got back into the game the visitors conceded a sloppy goal on 56 minutes as a long ball forward dropped between Tye Coleman and Coombes. Neither seemed to want to deal with the situation and Jefferies got between them and steered the ball home from the edge of the box.

Rovers then added a third just 2 minutes later with a slick passing move that saw Jefferies pick out Lacey ,who then set up substitute, Josh Jeffries, for an easy finish from 10 yards out.

The home side were now on top and a second successive corner from the left saw Barnes play a one two with Jefferies before crossing for skipper, Scott Brice, to head home.

Jefferies had two excellent chances to crown an excellent display with a hat trick but he first blazed over the bar after good work from Barnes and Lacey and then headed over from 6 yards from another Barnes cross.

Barnes got his reward on 80 minutes when Lacey won the ball in midfield, advanced and slid the ball inside the full back to send the winger clear and beat Coombes at his near post.

Arguably the best goal of the evening came a minute later as Jefferies ball forward saw substitute, Scott Wilson, outpace the defence and loft the ball over Coombes and into the far corner from the edge of the box.

The final goal came in the 89th minute when another substitute, Mike Bryant, slid in to divert the ball past Coombes after more good work by Lacey.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Adam Flint (Josh Jeffries 50 mins), Ashley Williams, Scott Brice (C), Brandon Barnes, Jordan Walker, Dean Evans (Mike Bryant 45 mins), Ben Lacey, Darren Jefferies, Tyson Pollard (Scott Wilson 57 mins). Subs not used: Jon Davies, Callum Hinder.

Man of the Match: Darren Jefferies (Rovers).