A GAME of two halves at Meadow Lane where Paulton dominated the first half and had Ed Butcher’s goal to show for it, then Westbury had by far the better of the second half but just couldn’t force an equaliser.
Rovers were all over United territorially in the opening part of the game with Dan Dempsey, Will Hailston and Nick Hewlett all going close. Matt Morris tried to get the hosts going but his effort was blocked.
Again, the visiting side took control, David O’Hare’s free kick skipped up off the surface and was held by Jonny Hill.
Hill then turned away a fine shot by Hailston after a fine move; Nuno Felix took the resulting corner which was headed out of the box by Dan Price but Butcher latched onto it and rifled the ball through a crowded box and into the net on 31 minutes. Ryan Bole injected some much-needed urgency into Westbury’s play but his shot went wide. Hill made a wonder save a few minutes before the break, tipping the ball into the crossbar when Hailston unleashed a screaming strike.
It was a completely different story after half time. United played with much more purpose and gradually wore down the Paulton defence. Several crosses were well dealt with before they found a way through only for Rovers’ keeper Aaron Sainsbury to deny Gary Higdon who also had a long range attempt fly wide.
Charlie Walton twice went to ground inside the penalty area but no spot kick was given on either occasion. There was then a desperate scramble inside the box which saw several efforts blocked by the visitors.
Higdon released Ricky Hulbert who forced Sainsbury into a save then Bole unleashed a trademark blast which crashed off the bar and then landed back on the bar before going out of play.
Paulton went close to adding a second when a few skiddy crosses eluded everyone except Hill before United’s patient approach was almost rewarded when Harvey Flippance flashed a shot narrowly wide.
Star man: Dan Price.
Team: Jonny Hill, Steve Hulbert, Ryan Bole, Dan Price, Jake Hutchings, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Harvey Flippance, Charlie Walton, Matty Morris, Gary Higdon. Subs: Jack Biddiscombe, Emmanuel Adepitan, Ricky Hulbert (used) Sam Jordan, Ed Baldy (unused).
Report by Andy Bown
