(Above) FLEMAR PROPRIETOR OF MATCH SPONSOR - LA CAMPAGNA ITALIAN RESTAURANT presents Paulton Rovers midfielder Brad Abraham with his award with manager John Rendell

Paulton won in difficult conditions over a spirited Basingstoke Town side.

The visitors midfielder Aaron Kuhl who was born in Paulton,whilst his dad Martin played for Bristol City, was impressive finding Rick Andrady who fired wide.

Rovers went ahead on 11 minutes as a foul on Brad Abraham saw Ed Butcher's in swinging free kick headed home by Ryan Gay.

Immediately afterwards Kuhl tried a dipping drive which Paulton keeper Joe Perry did well to turn over the cross bar.

Rovers nearly added to the tally after Braeden Symes sent Dave Sims Burgess down the wing finding Gay who shot wide.

Abraham was a dominant force for Paulton as was Kuhl in the Dragons midfield. A centre cum shot by right back Ryan Suckling clipped the home bar whilst at the other end Ben Bament set up Butcher to bring a neat save from keeper Chris Rackley.

In the second half, after early Rovers pressure and their defence being tested, they made it 2-0. Butcher broke with a through ball to Gay who trying to round Rackley was brought down. Bament converted the spot kick on 62 minutes.

On 69 minutes Basingstoke pulled one back as striker Ben Wright laid the ball through to Zak Robinson to score.

Seven minutes later they levelled as a long ball from right back Alfie Saunders was headed over the on rushing Perry.

Rovers went ahead again on 80 minutes as Sims Burgess headed on to Butcher who broke down the left to hit a thunderous volley past Rackley.

Perry made two fine saves from sub Adam Everiss and his own defender Ben Withey's sliced clearance.

In added time, Perry's long clearance which Butcher turned to Sims Burgess who chipped the keeper to make it 4-2.

Entertainment Value 4 out of 5
Sponsors man of the match- Brad Abraham (Paulton Rovers)

NEWS
Next Wednesday is the Buildbase FA Trophy 1st Round replay at Larkhall Athletic kick off 7-45 pm

The next round is due to be played on Saturday 9 November away to Hitchin Town / Bedfont Town or Grays Athletic. However the FA have ruled the Bedfont v Grays game to be replayed on Wednesday 6 November with the winner then meeting Hitchin.

My guess is our league game at home to Willand Rovers on Saturday 9 November will go ahead 3-00 pm KO. Then on Tuesday 12 we play Weston Super Mare at home in the Somerset Premier Cup 2nd Round KO 7-30.

The planned Southern League Challenge Cup game at home also to Weston Super Mare
has been rearranged from Tuesday 19 November

The match sponsor is the fanatastic La Campangna Italian Restaurant.