Paulton Rovers 0 Cirencester Town 2: Paulton Rovers made a disappointing start to their Zamaretto Southern League South and West Division One campaign as they crashed to a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Cirencester Town.

The home side missed the influence of striker Robbie Claridge, who is out for the opening three games of the campaign due to a suspension carried over from last season.

They have also lost Ben Cleverley, who joined Tiverton Town in the close season.

Paulton strikers Ricky Hulbert and Jamie Taylor could rarely make any impact on the game against a well-organised Cirencester defence, and Rovers manager Andy Jones will be looking for his side, which included six newcomers, to quickly settle down.

With Paulton's new-look line-up slow to get started, Cirencester opened strongly and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 32nd minute.

Jody Bevan, who has rejoined them from Cinderford, crossed from the right to create the opening for Carl Brown to score from close range.

Paulton missed a good chance to get back on terms shortly afterwards, when Chris Lane beat Cirencester keeper Matt Bath to a loose ball, only to see his shot from a narrow angle cleared off the line by Cirencester skipper Neil Griffiths.

The home side came out determined to take the game to the visitors at the start of the second half but Lane again missed a good chance to equalise, while Hulbert also squandered an opportunity.

Paulton paid for it when their defence was caught flat-footed as Cirencester scored their second goal five minutes after the restart, when a long clearance sent the dangerous Brown running clear to hold off a couple of challenges and go on to complete his double.