Slimbridge taste victory at home against a tough Paulton side that had a majority of the chances writes Rob Peck.

An unchanged Slimbridge side from a midweek cup victory were put under pressure early on, former Swan Ben Prictor’s corner bouncing off the top of the cross bar after 5 minutes.

Joe Noakes gave the ball away on the edge of the area Jack Ball failed to capitalise firing his shot wide.

Eric Edge was then called into action saving Dale Evans shot from just outside the box.

The home side were finding it difficult to hold onto the ball with Paulton putting pressure on the Swans back line that was playing three across the back.

Slimbridge’s first chance came when Noakes free kick on the left from the halfway line was fired over the top of the visitors defence unfortunately Ewen Dunbar could not quite get on the end of it.

The visitors should have taken the lead on 32 minutes, Liam Monelle’s shot hitting the angle from 18 yards with Edge unsighted in the home goal.

A minute later Slimbridge had there only real chance of the half, Yeshaya Lomotey playing a delightful through ball to Dunbar whose effort was well saved by Rob Brown in the visitors goal.

The second half started and continued in the same vein as the first.

Charlie Hitchings got on the end of a corner for the visitors but his header was wide.

The Swans failed to trouble Brown in the early stages, Hawes free kick was easily caught along with a deep cross from Jaden Maddock on the right.

On 58 minutes Slimbridge’s luck continued, Ben Withey’s cross from the right fired in to Tippins whose shot cannoned back off the base of the post from 20 yards for Paulton.

Edge then made another superb stop as Withey again beat his man on the right, this time his cross found Ball who hit the target but for the keeper to save.

The home side were forced to soak up incredible pressure from a visiting Paulton side that have struggled to recreate the form they have been showing over the past few seasons.

A minute later, it was the Swans that made the break through with only their second half chance.

Jaime Laird played the ball back to Brown and under pressure from Dunbar miskicked his clearance.

The ball bounced away and Hawes pounced on the opportunity, firing past the helpless Brown into the empty net giving the home side the lead against the run of play.

Despite going a goal behind Paulton continued to put pressure on the home sides defence, Korey Pring blocking a host from Tippins on 70 minutes then two minutes later a Rovers free kick from the left forcing Christien Turner to clear off his own line.

At the other end substitute Jamie Martins run down the right flank resulting in a cross to Hawes however his shot was well wide. Moments later Hitchings forced a point blank save from Edge in the home goal Edge hooking the ball away for a corner.

Deep in injury time Hawes pass from the right found Liam Smith running in his first time shot was expertly finger tipped around the post by Brown.

The Swans face two tough away league games this week, travelling to playoff hopefuls Cirencester Town on Tuesday night and then a long trip to Hampshire on Saturdays to face high flying Moneyfields.

The unbeaten Under 18’s also play midweek when they face Pegasus Juniors at Thornhill Park on Thursday evening at 7.45pm.