Paulton in fine form

Paulton came away with a comprehensive and deserved win denting AFC Totton's play-off hopes and continuing Rovers unbeaten start to 2018.

Andy Hannah returning after suspension in the visitors goal dealt with early 'stag's' pressure before Josh Morgan-Williams had a shot deflected and Dale Evans free kick found Joe Chandler whose header was palmed away by Totton keeper Shane Murphy.

Hannah was again called upon to tip over a free kick from Jack Masterton as Rovers responded on 20 minutes as Omar Simpson broke through the home defence found striker Jack Ball whose shot hit the Totton post.

Two minutes later Totton were awarded a penalty as Tony Lee bore down and as he attempted to chip over Hannah who stood his ground colliding with the midfielder. However Hannah was down quickly to his left to save the resultant penalty taken by Matt Bozier.

That lead to a period of sustained Paulton pressure and they took the lead after 34 minutes as ball cut in from the left and wing back Josh Cann was on had at the near post to turn the ball into the net.

The referee was doling out yellow cards to both sides for fairly innocuous offences to the ire of the crowd and in time added on Paulton made it 2-0 as Morgan-Williams danced through the Totton rear-guard a slightly lucky deflected fell to Ball who hammered his shot low past Murphy.

Totton were thwarted by Rovers defence with Joe Chandler, Kyle Knott and captain Josh Ford putting in stellar performances giving the normally deadly attacked of Craig Feeney and Alfy Whittingham little room to create chances.

It was Paulton who set up the better chances with Liam Monelle twice finding Morgan-Williams bringing fine saves from Murphy. However on 70 minutes saved from sub Tobi Adekundle then Masterton and as Rovers broke Simpson and Morgan-Williams combined down the right the ball was cleared to Rovers central midfielder Dale Evans fully 35 yards from goal. He hit a spectacular thunderbolt of a volley hitting the underside of the bar beating Murphy all ends up to make it 3-0.

Late on sub Nat Sherborne fired wide for 'The Stags' and Feeney had a goal disallowed for offside as a delighted Paulton manager John Rendell congratulated his troops on a fine win.

Source Paulton Rovers FC