Five-star Rovers ease past basement boys Bracknell
For the second week running, Rovers overcame lowly opposition in appalling conditions.
They began brightly with Chris Lane, back in the side following injury, crossing in the third minute for Matt Cooper to head straight at Bracknell keeper Kyle Bradley.
The home side lost central defender James Tyrrell, playing his final match for the club as his loan spell expires, with a head injury after just seven minutes, to be replaced by assistant manager Paul Milsom.
Lane then set up Kane Ingram, who forced Bradley to make what turned out be the first of many fine saves during the game.
Bracknell may be bottom of the table but they created two good chances, Dave Pearce shooting straight at home keeper Kyle Phillips and Ben Paternoster failing to hit the target after Rovers failed to clear a corner.
Rovers opened the scoring on 23 minutes when the visitors only partially cleared a corner and Rob Claridge's ball back into the box was headed home by Ingram.
The lead lasted just two minutes before Town were awarded a dubious penalty, defender Ollie Price appearing to make contact with the ball before bringing down Nathan Poulton. Dave Pearce made no mistake with the spot-kick.
Milsom went close with a header from a Lane free-kick and Phil Waters was denied by a fine save from Bradley after good work by Claridge, before Ingram's follow-up shot was hacked off the line by a defender.
It was then Lane's turn to see Bradley in action as the Bracknell keeper continued to frustrate the home crowd.
However, Rovers restored their lead on 40 minutes when Lane's free-kick took a wicked deflection off Pearce to leave Bradley stranded.
The home side made a bright start to the second half, with Matt Cooper and Waters both going close and Claridge finding the net, only to be adjudged offside.
Bradley then produced another fine save from Lane but the keeper was unable to prevent Rovers doubling their lead on 56 minutes.
A corner from the right was headed out but Cooper collected and his cross was forced home at the far post by Ollie Price.
Cooper then scored the fourth, collecting Lane's 64th-minute free-kick before beating two defenders and slotting the ball home.
Pearce had a great chance to reduce the arrears on 63 minutes but, having raced clear, he shot straight at Phillips.
Rovers saved their best goal for last as Phil Waters' diving header at the near post from Ingram's corner sealed victory in the 73rd minute.
Bracknell's Nicholas Lyskov was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 83rd minute. Milsom then sent Cooper clear with a neat pass and it looked as though the striker was pulled back as his shot went wide of the far post.
The victory moved Rovers up to third place in the Zamaretto League Division 1 South & West.
Paulton: Phillips, Ingram, Lane (Caldwell 68), Tyrrell (Milsom 7), Price, Cousins, Waters, Harvey, Claridge, Cooper, Lacey (Wright 77). Subs not used: Collier, Cleverley.
The youth team hosted Tiverton Town last night and next Wednesday play Mangotsfield United at Winterfield Road, kick off 7.30pm.
The Reserves are at Nailsea Town on Saturday with a 2.30pm kick-off.
All under-16s will be admitted free to all remaining first team matches this season. Admission to all reserve and under-18 matches remains free to all spectators.
Limited numbers of Living The Dream T-Shirts and matchday programmes from the Norwich City FA Cup tie are available for £5 plus sufficient SAE postage. Mail order requests are still been dealt with so stocks are dwindling. The scarves have sold out.
Postal applications should be sent to Paulton Rovers FC, Athletic Field, Winterfield Road, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7RF. Cheques should be made payable to Paulton Rovers FC.
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