CORBY TOWN 4 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in front of a crowd of 412 against promotion chasing, Corby Town despite having overall even possession and as many chances as their opponents.

Cleverland Taylor has an early shot wide for 'The Steelmen' before Rovers debutant Scott Wilson ran at the defence only to be tackled by left back Kalern Thomas. Right back Connor Kennedy then set up Thomas whose shot was blocked by Tom Seary.

Paulton then created to sweeping moves down the left with Josh Klein-Davies finding Bryant who tried to head down into Wilson path and the Dean Evans passé to Ashley Williams played a one two with Evans who laid the ball to Klein-Davies his blocked drive fell to Brandon Barnes whose shot went over the cross bar.

Wilson Carvalho hit a long range shot wide of Kyle Phillips goal then Thomas and Kennedy combined but Evans cleared the danger for Rovers.

Paulton had a great chance in the nineteenth minute after Klein-Davies was fouled just outside the box. Barnes free kick was narrowly wide with keeper Paul Walker beaten

Corby took the lead against the run of play on twenty eight minutes. Kennedy took a long throw from the right hand side and the giant centre back and home skipper, Paul Malone was allowed to back head the ball passed Phillips.

Six minutes later following a corner the ball was cleared to Carvalho. He played the ball high into the area and Malone who had remained up front, out jumped Phillips to head into an empty net, to give his side a two goal advantage.

However it took only 5 minutes for Rovers to respond as their skipper, Scott Brice, firmly headed home a right wing corner from Barnes to make it 2-1 at half time.

Corby were much the better side in the second half and with the visitors chasing the game they were fortunate that they conceded only two further goals.

Substitute Liam McInally tried two early shots both held by Phillips. The second producing a superb save from the Rovers stopper. Town's leading goal scorer Malone was causing consternation at every set piece and from a free kick by ex Scunthorpe United player Taylor headed straight into Phillips hands and then brought another courageous save the keeper.

On 63 minutes a Ben Milnes run down the left found Spencer Weir-Daley who side footed the ball passed Phillips to make it 3-1.

This produced the best second half period from Rovers with Wilson beating the offside trap only for his cross to be headed away by Malone. Klein-Davies tested Walker and then should have done better hitting a half volley straight at the keeper.

From that opportunity Corby broke and Weir-Daley ran on to poke the ball into the net for 4-1.

With that Paulton had three chances in as many minutes Wilson bringing a great save from Walker, then having a header clear off the line by man of the match Malone. Barnes fizzed a shot across the area and wide.

With four minutes left the lively Weir-Daley missed a great chance to seal his hat trick, whilst Rovers never say die attitude saw Williams long range effort held by Walker and Klein-Davies shoot over the bar.

Rovers then faced the four hour journey home. It was a case of Corby taking their chances a major factor in the Southern League Premier and ensuring they took the points.

Paulton Rovers - Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey (sub Elliott Gibbons 61 mins), Marcus Mapstone, Tom Seary, Scott Brice Ollie Knowles 66), Brandon Barnes, Ashley Williams, Mike Bryant (Josh Jeffries 79), Josh Klein-Davies, Scoot Wilson, Dean Evans .
Subs not used: Ben Lacey

Attendance 412

Man of the match Paul Malone (Corby Town)