PAULTON ROVERS 2 v 1 CIRENCESTER TOWN

(Aside) Nick McCootie receiving the Man of the Match Award .The bottle of Prosecco was supplied by Sainsbury's Midsomer Norton and presented by Ian Nockolds, who covered the game for Somer Valley FM. Highlights will be broadcast on Tuesday night during the Sports Show on 97.5 and online between 6-00 and 7-00 pm.

Paulton deservedly won their historic first game as a Southern League Premier side overcoming a physical Cirencester Town.

Nick McCootie should have opened Rovers account on 4 minutes dribbling passed several defender and round keeper Glyn Garner only for a superb last ditch tackle from Ben Pictor to stop a certain goal.

Paulton opened the scoring on twenty six minutes when Jon Davies drove across the penalty area laid the ball off to Brandon Barnes who racing in from the left hit a cracking shot across Garner low into the net.

Cirencester levelled two minutes later when Mark Pritchett headed home from Ben Wells corner.

Paulton were denied what looked a certain hand ball from Jamie Edge from Barnes' firm shot.

Rovers piled on early second half pressure before five minutes in McCootie went on a dazzling run, turned and twisted before creating enough room to plant the ball into the net across Garner to make it 2-1.

Barnes then blasted over the bar from five yards out, Lacey combined with McCootie and shot wide and Olly Knowles not to be out done by McCootie raced passed the visiting defence and shot narrowly wide.

Nat Jarvis nearly got Town back levelled out jumping Rovers goalie Kyle Phillips only for the ball to run wide of the post.

Barnes and Davies both tried drives from distance and McCootie evaded some stern tackles to test Garner.

Paulton Rovers - Kyle Phillips, Ben Lacey, Connor Clifford, Scott Brice (C), Brandon Barnes, Marcus Mapstone (sub Ryan Batten 80 mins), Ollie Knowles, Mike Bryant (Elliott Gibbons), Jon Davies, Nick McCootie,

Subs not used Keiran Baggs, Callum Hinder

Entertainment Value 4 out of 5
Man of the match/Star Man Nick McCootie (Paulton Rovers)

Cirencester Town - Glyn Garner, Matt Liddiard, Ben Prictor, Mark Pritchett, Brad Hooper, Leigh Henry (C), Jamie Edge, Jamie Reid, Nat Jarvis, Ben Wells (Jacob Davidge 65), Ed Williams.

Subs - Ryan Williams, Dan Roberts

Next up Paulton Rovers home (tomorrow) Tuesday 12 August against Truro City K-O 7-30 pm.