CINDERFORD TOWN 2 v 3 PAULTON ROVERS

(Aside) Debutant Luke Ballinger Paulton Rovers man of the match

Rovers travelled to a very wet Causeway home of Cinderford Town.

Paulton were on top in the early stages with debutant Luke Ballinger linking up well with Mike Perrott and Dean Evans. Dan Cleveley shot narrowly wide, then Evans was on target, but it was straight at the home keeper.

GOAL 16 minutes and Rovers take the lead when Ballinger's low drive is side footed home by Nick McCootie.

Excellent build up work by Rovers constant threat to the Forester's goal.

GOAL 2-0 to Paulton after 32 mins Balllinger opens his account after great work down the left wing by Brandon Barnes.

Cinderford first shot on target ten minutes from half time sees Kyle Phillips saves comfortably. Rovers counter attack through Ballinger who shoots wide.

An in swinging free kick by Ballinger is headed over the bar by Ryan Batten.

Sam Teale nearly out foxes Town keeper with deep dipping cross which goes over the bar on stroke of half time.

H -T Cinderford Town 0 v 2 Paulton Rovers

Cinderford pushing to get back in the game and Rovers having to defend well in the early stages of the second half.

An hour played and Stuart Tovey wins the ball with a great tackle plays it to Ballinger who shots narrowly wide.

Josh Klein-Davies back from a three match suspension comes for Barnes after 70 minutes.

GOAL! 3-0 to Rovers. Excellent header from Cleverley sees Ballinger race through and strike home his second for Paulton after 75 minutes.

Ryan Bath replaces Nick McCootie on seventy seven minutes.

Within a minute Cinderford pull a goal back with a free header by Phil Veal from a corner.

Ten minutes left and it 3-2 to Rovers as Town reduce the deficet. Sam Hunt shows lightening pace down the left cuts in and drive the ball past Phillips.

Minutes left and two efforts for Cinderford go begging as first Phillips saves well, then an unmarked Cinderford striker spurns a chance.

Rovers could not get their game going in the second half on an increasingly heavy pitch. At the same time Town gave their all to try and gain a result, but this win keeps Paulton firmly on course for a play off place ahead of Saturday's trip to Wimborne Town.

Paulton Rovers:- Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Sam Teale, Marcus Mapstone, Ryan Batten, Brandon Barnes (sub Josh Klein-Davies 70 mins.), Mike Perrott, Luke Ballinger, Dean Evans, Dan Cleverley, Nick McCootie (Ryan Bath 77).

Subs not used - Scott Brice, Saul Williams, Josh Jeffries

Paulton man of the match Luke Ballinger