Report by Tony Walsh

A late second half rally from Paulton was undone by a lacklustre first half performance.

Rovers opened brightly as Corey Rawlings found Milo Murgatroyd whose drive was blocked, then Dan Cottle and Kyle Simpson tested Potris keeper Finlay Croft.

On 14 minutes and slightly against the run of play Rovers went behind as a Kyle Egan’s right wing corner was headed home by centre half Hamish Hurst.

The hosts took the initive and Paulton keeper Dan Jackson made a series of fine saves from the lively Jack Murray and bustling striker Owen Punselle who later shot wide.

As Rovers withstood a period of pressure, Portishead made it 2-0 on 35 minutes as another Egan’s right wing corner was headed home by the former Tiverton Town player Murray.

Further disaster on the stroke of half time as Mitchell Osmond’s free kick on the left was not dealt with and defender Toby Lawrence drove the ball past Jackson to make it 3-0.

Paulton tried to get back in the game as Callum English-Brown fired wide before a series of substitutes attempted to give Rovers some fresh impetus.

However, it was 4-0 on 52 minutes as Ethan Feltham played in Punselle who rounded Jackson to slot into the net.

On the hour mark, Paulton started to get on top and were rewarded in the 62nd minute as Will Hailston’s corner on the right was powerfully headed home by Josh Ford.

Rovers piled on the pressure but found it difficult to break down the Portishead
rearguard until on 81 minutes Hailston’s free kick on the left was headed back across goal by Simpson and headed past Croft by Ford to make it 4-2.

In the final minutes Leo Eglin then Dan McBeam both had chances but time ran out for Paulton. A disappointing game to go out of the Isuzu FA Vase. No visit to Wembley this year!!!

Rovers need to bounce back at home against Hengrove Athletic on Tuesday night, before getting back to league action next Saturday at home to Saltash kick off 3-00 p.m.