Paulton Rovers off to a flyer at Chipping Sodbury

Paulton’s new look side got their pre-season underway against a much changed Chipping Sodbury, who since last season had themselves a change in manager and personnel.

Paulton started in the ascendancy with newcomers Cottle, Jackson, Llewellyn and Hailston all making good early impressions.

Cottle was linking things up well through the middle, Jackson had the beating of his full back, Llewellyn was winning 2nd balls and breaking things up in midfield and Hailston was providing a decent outlet up front.

With Withy and Gay looking fit and combining well down the right, and Dempsey was looking strong in the tackle at the back, Paulton controlled the first half and it was no surprise when Cottle opened the scoring after good interplay on the right enabled him to cut in and shoot left footed into the far corner from the edge of the box. Soon after a strong run down the right from Withy, who dug out a deep cross from the by line and Jackson finished well at the far post. 

Will Hailston scored twice
on his Paulton return

Mid-way through the first half quick passing between Cottle and Gay found Hailston 12 yards out who found the bottom corner to register his first goal on his Paulton return, which was soon followed as Llewellyn won back possession as Sodbury tried to play out from the back and was bought down in the box. Hailston coolly slotted from the spot for his 2nd and Paulton's fourth.

Wholesale changes at half time for both teams disrupted the flow of the game, although it continued to be played in a very competitive spirit. Early on the Sodbury right back was replaced after being caught by a mistimed Ibrahim challenge that earned him a caution 5 mins into the half. Llewellyn was also an early victim of a clumsy mid-air challenge that meant a heavy fall, and was replaced by Seviour soon after. Full time at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury 0 Paulton Rovers 4.

Match Report from John Rendell