SALISBURY 3 PAULTON ROVERS 1

After a quiet and fairly even opening spell the first chance of the game fell to the home side on 9 minutes as Kailan Gould sliced his attempted clearance but Justin Bennett could only head straight to Andrew Hannah in the Rovers’ goal. Rovers then had opportunities as first home keeper, Alex Bass, saw his poor clearance go straight to Ryan Radford but his 20 yard effort was easily saved before James Byrne, playing in a new role at left back, saw his cross go along the host’s 6 yard line with no one able to get a telling touch.

However on possession and territorial advantage Salisbury deservedly went ahead on 18 minutes, although they needed a touch of good fortune, as Bennett’s shot was blocked by Rovers’ captain, Josh Ford, only to land at the feet of Tom Whelan who fired home from 10 yards.

Salisbury almost doubled the lead on 32 minutes after good work down the left by Taurean Roberts who set up Eddie Perrett for a cross that found Bennett but his shot was cleared off the line by a sliding Byrne. Bennett then sent a glancing header jut wide of the far post as he got on the end of an excellent cross from the right by Lewis Benson.

Right on the stroke of half time the hosts doubled their lead as Bennett slipped the ball to Eddie Perrott to slot home from just outside the 6 yard box

Rovers began the second well as Bass in the home goal produced a fines save from Gould after a cross from the lively Solomon Wheatley. From the resultant corner, taken by Gould, Ford at the far post just failed to get a touch, which would surely have reduced the arrears. The home side responded as Hannah did well to block an effort from Perrett. Rovers again went close as Gould’s pass released Ryan Radford but again Bass denied the visitors a way back into the game.

Then in the 64th minute Salisbury made the game safe as Tommy Wright collected Bennett’s head on and clipped the ball over Hannah to make it 3-0.

It could have been worse for the visitors as Roberts saw his curling right foot shot come back off the post before Rovers grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute as substitute, Nathan Legge, collected Byrne’s cross and slotted home.

There was still time for Salisbury to create another chance but this time it was Benson who was denied by the woodwork as his header from a Roberts’ cross struck the same post.

Entertainment: 4/5

Star Man: Justin Bennett (Salisbury)

Match report from Andy Harris