Paulton Rovers 5 Thatcham Town 1: Rovers got their full season underway at Winterfield Road by easing to victory against Thatcham Town in the Extra Prelim Round of the FA Cup.

Goals from full debutants Fin Haines, Kye Simpson and Curtis Dunn added to those by ‘old hands’ Dan Restorick and Joe Morgan to gave the Rovers’ faithful a great afternoon in the wind and rain!

Thatcham had the best of the early exchanges when Sam Tanner shot just wide of the post in the 5th minute after a dangerous cross from the right. The new look Rovers team, sporting a number of new signings, slowly began to take a grasp of the game and in the 14th minute, Joe Morgan picked the ball up on the edge of the box and lashed a shot just over the bar.

Just a couple of minutes later, the first goal came for Rovers when the hard working Joe Morgan was brought down some 12 yards outside the box. Braeden Symes, who is returning to the club for his second spell, stepped up and delivered a low cross into the box which Fin Haines latched onto first to put the ball past the Thatcham keeper.

Four minutes later, Rovers doubled the lead in similar fashion when a free kick was awarded to Joe Morgan again who was being held down whilst attempting to head the ball on. This time, captain Neil Martin stepped up and delivered a cross that Dan Restorick on the far post, headed back across the goal. The high looping ball deceived the Thatcham keeper who couldn’t get a hand to it. An outstretched leg of a Thatcham defender could only help the ball further into the net.

Confidence was on the rise and Rovers looked to be in total control. Another full debutant, Toby Stephens, created a chance for himself after a nice run in the 29th minute but he dragged his shot just wide of the bottom left corner.

Somewhat controversially, the visitors won a penalty in the 34th minute when captain Neil Martin was adjudged to have brought down Sam Tanner. Martin pleaded that he had won the ball but the referee was adamant. Thatcham’s Cameron Rohart-Brown stepped up to take the spot kick but another of Rovers’ new signings, keeper Sam Jepson, pulled out a great save to his right to stop a comeback.

The final minutes of the first half saw Rovers continue to make the best of the chances and, going into added time, Fin Haines picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and hit a long range effort that the keeper just managed to tip over the bar.

Thatcham came out with renewed vigour at the start of the second half and within seconds of the kick-off Jordan Alvez struck the crossbar from a shot taken just inside the lefthand side of the box. They continued to make Rovers’ defence work but didn’t really ever unduly test Jepson in the goal.

It was the hosts that struck again in the 60th minute. From a corner on the right, Braeden Symes delivered a cross that was only headed back to him by a Rovers player. His second cross was lower and to the near post where David O’Hare popped up to flick the ball towards the goal. It actually ended up ricocheting off the chest of Joe Morgan and into the net. We may have to let the players fight it out as to who claims it!

Soon after it was 4-0. Kye Simpson picked up the ball on the left and charged into the box but was brought down by Thatcham’s Aaron White. He received his second yellow card for the foul and was sent from the pitch. Simpson stepped up to take the penalty himself and calmly put the ball to the left sending the keeping the wrong way.

Leo Eglin replaced David O’Hare in the 69th minute and soon had a chance for himself when, from a Toby Stephens’ pass, he shot just over the bar. In the 78th minute Sam Jepson was called into action when Thatcham’s Justin Bangura was put through one on one. Jepson threw out a leg and sent the shot over the bar.

Bangura did find the net with a clinical finish in the 84th minute but it was too little, too late. In fact, if there was to be a comeback it was soon snuffed out by the goal of the game when, in added time, Curtis Dunn picked up a loose ball and from twenty yards, curled and effortlessly went into the net. It was a stunning goal for yet another full debutant! Look out for it in the Youtube highlights coming soon. Craig Loxton and John Durbin’s new look Paulton Rovers team look to have plenty of potential for the season ahead!

The next round takes place on Saturday 19th August when we will be away to Wimbourne Town.

Our next game is at Winterfield Road on Saturday 12th August when we host Melksham Town in the opening league game., kick-off 3pm. Then we travel to Mousehole on Tuesday 15th August for a 7.45pm kick-off. The coach leaves the club at 1pm.

Jon Green