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City manager made a triumphant return to his former club Paulton Rovers, although his new side were pushed all the way by the Screwfix Premier Division side in an entertaining encounter. Playing down the slope in the first period City started strongly, although not before they lost red-hot striker Allison after he and Rovers skipper Buxton were asked to leave the field following a third minute scuffle. Ironically his replacement MacLean came the closest to scoring in the early exchanges, heading Powell's cross against the foot of the post. The referee got involved in the proceedings again after 20 minutes, ordering the replacement of right-back Vickerman after his foul on Perry. He was replaced by Zabek but it was from the Paulton left that they opended the scoring after 29 minutes. Perry was allowed the time and space to drift in from this flank and he fired a shot past Hervin and in off the post. This didn't seem to knock City out of their stride and, with triallist Jamie Mills impressing in midfield, both Towler and Milsom went close before the interval. And within just eight minutes of the restart City found themselves two goals to one ahead. The equaliser came from the head of Thorne, converting Powell's excellent centre, then he turned provider after he was brought down by Tovey in the box. Gosling converting the penalty with confidence. If City thought this would break the spirit of the home side they were to be disappointed as just five minutes later Paulton drew level with the night's pick of the goals - Brown firing past Hervin from just outside the area. However, it wasn't too long before City regained the lead, Allison finding himself unmarked six yards out and easily registering his seventh pre-season strike. This turned out to be the winning goal as both sides made a number of changes that disrupted their play and there were few clear cut chances in the closing half hour. |
