PAULTON Rovers’ five match unbeaten run in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League came to an end when they lost 4-1 away to highflyers Clevedon Town on a freezing pitch in mid-week.

The three points enabled Clevedon to move up to second in the table, while Paulton stayed in ninth place. All other games were called off because of the bad weather.

Rovers started brightly with Kyle Simpson firing into the side netting; then a run down the left from Wayne Nderemani saw Will Hailston test James Dunn in the home goal.

Clevedon’s Freddie King, who looks as though he is destined to play at a higher level, was a thorn in the visitors’ defence and he set up centre forward Lucas Vowles who shot wide.

On 13 minutes Vowles found King who curled a low shot past Dan Jackson to give the Seasiders the lead. Rovers responded as Milo Murgatroyd had a shot pushed around the post. However the hosts applied intense pressure on Jackson’s goal.

Clevedon made it 2-0 on 36 minutes as Vowles latched onto a misplaced pass and stroked home a low drive into the corner of the net.

Three minutes later it was worse as Alex Camm fastened onto another loose pass and fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

Rovers made four substitutions at half time but before they had settled Clevedon made it four, taking advantage of another misplaced pass and racing on to shoot past Jackson.

This fired Paulton into action and they launched attack after attack. Hailston and Murgatroyd were prominent and on 52 minutes Rovers looked to be awarded a certain penalty as Hailston was bundled over in the box. The referee waived away the appeal to the surprise of even the vocal home drummers.

Paulton pressure finally paid off on 66 minutes as Murgatroyd’s goal bound shot was deflected into the path of Will Osborne to reduce the deficit. Jack Farion and Dan McBeam tested Dunn; then Hailston drove the ball in the net but was ruled offside by the assistant on the far side.

It was not a good result for Rovers who had been looking to continue their move up the table after some good performances.

It also meant Rovers manager Ray Johnston also had to take a good look at what changes would be made for the long trip to Cornish side Torpoint Athletic for the next game.

Tony Walsh