An early free kick awarded to Thatcham on the half way line, Robbie Sadler hit high towards the far post with Mark Hughes knocking the ball just wide. Paulton had a free kick from a similar position, they also hit high into the box but Gareth Thomas rose highest to head away the danger.
Paulton forced a corner after some good play, Craig Loxton seeing his shot deflect wide. The corner came in and Scott Rees was well placed to head away. An excellent one two between Marc Green and James Clark, both players then saw shots blocked as Thatcham started to pressurise the Paulton defence.
Paul Taplin crossed in a free kick from out wide, the ball only headed away to the edge of the area where James Clark saw the Paulton keeper off his line and tried a looping effort with the keeper back pedalling he only just manages to get back to tip over the cross bar.
Shortley after Thatcham went close again, Marc Green being played through, he then chipped the keeper but was unlucky to see his effort bounce back out off the under side of the cross bar and then James Clarks follow up was well blocked by Courtney Redwood in the Paulton goal. Paulton's best chance of the half fell to Dan Cleverley but after having the ball layed back to him he fired straight at Paul Strudley.
HALF TIME: Thatcham Town 0-0 Paulton Rovers
Paulton had an early second half chance to cause problems, but a free kick on the edge of the box was hit straight at the wall by Craig Loxton. The game was becoming a bit stop start in the second period, the referees whistle getting plenty of use.
Scott Rees did well winning the ball from a Paulton defender before setting himself for a shot, seeing his effort deflect into the arms of the Rovers keeper. On 65 minutes Thatcham took a deserved lead, Scott Ress playing the ball out to James Clark. He cut into the area beating two defenders before firing in a shot past the keeper from 10 yards.
Paulton attacked down the right hand side winning a corner in the process. The corner cam across only to be headed away. Paulton then had a good chance to level the scores, a cross field ball from Ben Lacey found Rob Claridge on the far side of the penalty area only for the striker to fire the ball into the car park.
On 73 minutes Thatcham doubled their lead when Mark Hughes battled to win the ball in the middle of the park, he played out to Marc Green who beat a defender then raced into the penalty area before laying back to the onrushing Mark Hughes to slot the ball beyond Courtney Redwood and into the far corner.
Fifteen minutes later Thatcham completed the scoring when an excellent ball over the top was well controlled by Scott Rees in front of the keeper before teeing up Sean Cook to hit a low shot into the net for his first goal at Waterside Park since returning to the club. In the closing stages of the game Paulton's Craig Loxton saw red for a late lunge on Sam Tucker.
FULL TIME: Thatcham Town 3-0 Paulton Rovers
James Clark 65, Mark Hughes 73, Sean Cook 88
BERKSHIRE ARMS MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Hughes
ATTENDANCE: 62
THATCHAM
1.Paul Strudley
2.Mark Hughes (GOAL)
3.Will Bratt
4.Mark James (YELLOW)
5.Gareth Thomas (C)
6.Robbie Sadler
7.Sam Tucker
8.Scott Rees
9.Marc Green
10.James Clark (GOAL)
11.Paul Taplin
12.Danny Williamson
14.Sean Cook (REPLACED 9.Marc Green, GOAL)
15.Matt Bowler
16.Mario Nurse (REPLACED 11.Paul Taplin)
17.Lee Stevens (REPLACED 10.James Clark)
REFEREE: Paul Redmond
ASSISTANTS: Ben James & Declan Singh
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