Manager Nick Bunyard and his assistant Paul Milsom were delighted with the 1-0 as they finalise their starting line up as they approach the opening league game at Godalming Town next Saturday.

Rovers have enjoyed a pretty good pre season winning six, losing two and drawing one.

Paulton started brightly and dominated the early ply despite a scare when skipper Dan Cleverley was injured in an over the top tackle but recover.

Just in time to see his side score. In the fourth minute keeper Lewis Pierre played the ball to Nick McCootie on the half way line and he accelerated past several visiting players played one two pass with left winger Brandon Barnes raced on to the ball to slot into the net passed Town goalie Alan Walker-Harris.

Paulton had several chances to increase the lead through McCottie whose shot was smothered by Walker-Harris and Ben Lacey had two shots on target.

For Dorchester ex-Yeovil Town man Nick Crittenden was prominent with three shos on target all comfortably held by Pierre.

On the stroke of half time McCootie was fouled by the keeper which on another day may have seen the referee reaching for a rd card rather than a telling off. The resultant free kick saw Barnes hit the ball just over the crossbar.

Paulton brought on Bristol City acadamy keepr Joe Perry and the youngster and his defence as a rejuvinated Dorchester put Paulton under cosh.

Two minutes after the restart Ben Watson tried to chip Perry on the left which was narrowly wide. Then he amazingly blasted over a minute later with the goal at his mercy. James Beasley saw his shot gopast the postand Crittenden the target and elliott Ward's volley was wide of the mark.

Rover regained composure and McCootie causing all sorts of problems nearly wriggled his way through a static 'Magpie's' defence before a last ditch tacled by captain Charlie Clough stopped him in his tracks.
Barnes hammered a great shot inches over the bar.

The experienced 34 yers old Crittenden kept tried long range efforts but young Perry was clearly growing in confidence saving well on each occasion.

Rovers subs Joe Vyner and James Billing having replaced Harris and McCootie linked up twice to give each other a chance to test Dorchester first choice keeper Tim Sandercock.

Despite later pressure from Town it was Rovers who comfortably held on to win 1-0.

Bunyard was delighted by this win and felt the pre form sets Paulton up well for hopefuly a strong and very tough season in the Calor Southern League Division One South and West.

Paulton squad from - Lewis Pierre, Joe Perry, Stuart Tovey, Ollie Price, Marcus Mapstone, Dave Thompson, Scott Brice, Mike Reaney, Dan Cleverley, Ibz Diallo, Mike Perrott, Nick McCootie, Jake Harris, James Billing, Brandon Barnes, Josh Jeffries, Mario Mateus, Joe Vyner.

Referee Adam Ricketts (Bristol)

THE MATCH WAS IN AID OF THE BOBBY ROBSON CANCER CHARITY FOUNDATION

[b]Please ensure you have renew your membership to enjoy members discounts for the coming season.[/b]