PAULTON ROVERS 1 v 2 SLIMBRIDGE

(Above) Match sponsors Waterhouse Independent Financial Advisers Paulton Rovers man of the match Joe Hillard receiving his award from manager John Rendell.

Paulton had the first chance as James Byrne fired across the goal when Slimbridge responded as Adam Mace's fierce free kick brought a great save from Rovers stopper Keiran Hodges.

On 21 minutes Rovers should have scored as Dave Sims shot was blocked, Byrne's follow up was parried by Ollie Hall and Ryan Radford shot wide.

The visitors demunitive play maker Harrison Reeves cut the ball back for Luke Payne to fire wide. Paulton's teenage centre back's Joe Hillard and Sam Hedges looked firm in the home defence.

Sims drew another save from Hall but on 39 minutes was fouled by skipper Alex Hoyle and Byrne thumped home the penalty hitting the underside of the bar to give Paulton the lead.

Hodges then saved from Joe Stokes on the stroke of half time.

The second half started slow until Simpson's cross shot test Hall.

Hodges pushed Stokes drive away and Simpson broke to shoot over the top for Rovers. Kailan Gould on as sub turned and brought a save from Hall.

Slimbridge levelled on 75 minutes as sub Marley Thomas turned home a cross from the right by Stokes.

Four minutes later they went ahead in controversial fashion Hall rushed out of his area to prevent Gould and appeared to handle. The Swan's broke and Thomas was on hand to tap in.

Paulton Rovers Keiran Hodges (GK), Camen Harvey, Josh Cann, Sam Hedges, Joe Hillard, Joe Guest, James Byrne, Dale Evans (C), Omar Simpson, Dave Sims, Ryan Radford

Subs Sam Taylor, Joe White, Andy Elcock, Joe Chandler, Kailen Gould

Referee Andy Sheppard (Gloucester)

Scorers -

PAULTON ROVERS
James Byrne 39

SLIMBRIDGE
Marley Thomas 75, 79

Star man of the match Joe Hillard (Paulton Rovers)

Entertainment Value 3 out of 5

The match sponsors are Waterhouse Independent Financial Advisers 23 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DR and Elizabeth Dennis from the company will present the man of the match award after the game.