PAULTON ROVERS 5 WANTAGE TOWN 1

Rovers completely dominated this match but remarkably went in at home time only one goal up, courtesy of Elliott Gibbons.

The home side began brightly with Kane Simpson denied by Eddie Cavanagh in the Wantage goal and who, despite the score line, had a fine game. Then Simpson turned provider setting up Gibbons who shot straight at the hard worked keeper. Rovers were denied on 10 minutes by a fine overhead clearance from full back, Ryan Elliott, with Gibbons waiting at the far post to get on the end of Will Hailston’s cross. However Rovers had a let off a minute later when Jordan Ricketts gave away possession in midfield and a ball forward to Town skipper, Mark Francis, saw him send his shot just wide of the far post. This spurred the home side into action as first Joe Chandler and then Simpson headed over the bar and a scramble from a Kailan Gould corner saw the ball deflect off the Wantage post. On 25 minutes Hailston, who caused the visitors’ defence problems all afternoon, saw his shot cleared off the line. Gould had an effort well saved by Kavanagh and then gave the keeper an easier time with a second attempt.

Just when it appeared Wantage might somehow go in at half time on level terms it was Gibbons who was on hand to finish after Simpson's effort was well saved by Kavanagh, in the 44th minute.

Rovers doubled their lead 3 minutes after the break when Ricketts picked out Hailston on the left wing and he combined with Simpson before firing home a curling right foot shot from the edge of the box.

Just a minute later and the hosts were out of sight as Gould's 25 yard shot came back off the goal frame and Gibbons, following up, headed home.

Gould did get on the score sheet in the 59th minute as Rovers broke away down the right and Simpson's cross to the far post left his team mate with a simple tap in

It was Simpson who completed the scoring for the home side on 79 minutes neatly tucking home his shot having been set up by Ricketts.

The only disappointment for the home side was their failure to keep a clean sheet as Wantage Francis, scored from the penalty spot in the 86th minute having been brought down himself by Ryan Shaw.

However there was no further goal action in the remaining minutes and Rovers deservedly bagged three vital points.

Rovers: Andrew Hannah, Elliott Keightley, Kailan Gould (Ryan Radford 79 mins), Josh Ford (C) (Sam Stoppard (63 mins), Joe Chandler, Ryan Shaw, Will Hailston (Reeko Best 69 mins), Elliott Gibbons, Kane Simpson, Jordan Ricketts, Solomon Wheatley
Subs not used: Adam Mahmood, Ian Parkes.

Attendance: 71

Entertainment: 4 out of 5

Star Man: Elliott Gibbons (Paulton Rovers)