Paulton Rovers ran out three one winners away to Radstock Town in a pre-season Pit Wheel derby.

After another good training session on Tuesday, Paulton arrived at Southfields Recreation ground looking to maintain the feel good factor that had been created throughout an extended pre season.

Ali Sen and Mason Harrison who have both progressed through the club’s youth system, were looking to press their claims for regular starting slots and Harry Foster was making his first start.

Radstock have been back in training 3 times a week for the past 6 weeks and in the first half it showed as they made life difficult for Rovers. The Miners played out from the back, and defended well with a high back line, which Paulton were slow to work out how to combat.

Despite Paulton being sluggish going forward they remained solid at the back. Jack Fillingham hit the bar with a good header from distance, and there were a couple of half chances for Sen and Harry Foster, but overall the word to describe Rovers first half display was disjointed,  which was slightly to be expected with a new team thrown together.

With the two sides locked a nil all at half time, raft of changes were made at the break. Whether it was the floodlights, the slight drizzle in the air, or a magical team talk, Paulton started the second half at a much better tempo and instantly looked more dangerous going forward.

It was no surprise when five mins after the break good interplay through the middle allowed Will Hailston the chance to beat the offside trap and slot in a neat finish past the advancing Miners keeper Jack Scrivens. Ten mins later a good break down the left saw TylerJackson cross to a perfectly timed run at the back post from Jake Sloggett, who made a difficult finish look easy.

Twenty minutes into the 2nd half saw Ben Withey, Harrison and a Trialist replaced by Charlie Hitchings, Dave O’Hare and Fillingham and a change in formation, and Paulton continued to control the game without adding to their tally. Lydian Ibrahim was looking lively in centre midfield, with Jackson a constant threat down the left. With ten mins to go Radstock nicked a goal back against the run of play as Luke Seviour coming in from the left finished well at the far past after some sloppy play from Paulton lost the position to easily.

This raised the Miners spirits and bought them back into the game, but Paulton finished them off when Fillingham broke through and scored his first Rovers goal with the last kick of the game. Final score Radstock Town 1 Paulton Rovers 3.

Overall another good workout for both sides, another win Paulton and another stiff test for ambitious Radstock against higher level opposition.

The next schedule pre season games is at Winterfield Road on Saturday 22 August with Cardiff side Bridgend Street the visitors. Kick off is 2-30 p.m. but unless  there is a change of Government policy it will be behind closed doors.

Picture taken by John Newport