Paulton ease to win

Aside Rovers man of the match Dean Evans

Match photo's courtesy of Guildford City click here.

Paulton travelled to 'The Spectrum' home of bottom placed Guildford Town and secured a 3-1 win.

City's unusual nickname 'The Sweeney' comes from the spire on Guildford Cathedral.

The pitch surrounded by an athletics track meant spectators were a good distance from play and certainly dampened the atmosphere. Never the less Paulton dozen or so travelling support could be heard encouraging their team.

Rovers welcomed back Dean Evans after suspension and captain Dan Cleverley following the birth of his second child and their was a debut for Ryan Batten on loan from Gloucester City. Ben Lacey and Mike Reaney were both out injured and Ollie Price was on holiday.

Paulton attacked Guildford from the start and pounded their goal with attempts from an Evans header, Josh Klein-Davies shot and Nick McCootie over running the ball.

McCootie nearly opened Rovers account when Brandon Barnes cross from the left and the striker flick towards goal was flicked over the bar by Guildford keeper Will Dukes.

Paulton made it 1-0 in the twelveth minute when McCootie was fouled just outside the box and Barnes powered home his free kick.

Ben Walshe the Guidford captain had his side first shot on target but the ball sailed over Kyle Phillips crossbar.

Against the run of play City leveled when Dan Cleverley was beaten to the ball by Pat Cox who squared to centre forward George Bowerman to tap home.

Rovers numerous chances, domination and possession did not result in adding to the score.

It was more of the same in the second half Batten trying a long range effort, Evans shooting wide and Scott Brice heading wide from a Barnes corner and McCottie turning a getting a shot on target that lack power.

Paulton went ahead in the fifty fourth minute a Barnes corner was cleared to Cleverley who hoofed an up and under in to the penalty area. Brice out jumped the indecisive Dukes to head into an empty net.

Guildford tried to break down the Rovers defence to no avail with leading marksman Cox largely ineffective, although Walshe was at the heart of most of their moves and set pieces.

Klein-Davies and McCootie each twice were one and one with the keeper but either shot wide or allowed the keeper to smother their attempts.

Six minutes from time Barnes made it 3-1 racing clear from Evans pass he out paced the home defence and slipped the ball passed Dukes.

Paulton pressed for more with Darren Jefferies making the keeper save well from his volley and Klein-Davies seeing his shot diverted for a corner from which Jefferies hit wide.

Guildford manager Dean Thomas has brought in a number of new players and once they blend they look as if they can climb up the league table.

Paulton Rovers -Kyle Phillips, Ryan Batten, Scott Brice, Dan Cleverley (C), Marcus Mapstone, Dean Evans, Brandon Barnes (sub Josh Brigham 84 mins), Mike Perrott, Josh Klein-Davies (Paddy Doyle 89), Darren Jefferies, Nick McCootie (Josh Jeffries 84)

Sub not used - Paul Milsom.

Man of the match Dean Evans (Paulton Rovers)