MATCH REPORTS

Gillingham Town 2-1 Welton Rovers

Welton made the Bank Holiday trip into Dorset to play league leaders Gillingham Town and apart from two silly errors Welton should have come away with a share of the spoils.

Considering the recent heavy rain the pitch was firm but perfectly playable and it was Welton playing down the slight slope who looked the livelier of the early exchanges with Ashley Lewis and Andy Keen causing problems for the Gillingham defence. Gillingham’s first chance of the game fell to Taoufik Ben Salem and his snap shot was palmed away by Chris Blammon in the Welton goal. Welton responded and good play from Lewis saw him turn his marker and his shot was saved low down by Gillingham keeper Jonathon Hill. On the 11^th minute the home side took the lead when Blammon raced out of his goal as the ball was loose in the area and pulled back Danny Thompson, although there were several Welton defenders nearby, and referee Smith had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Lee Gale who slotted the ball into the far corner of the Welton goal. Welton’s heads didn’t drop and Greg Dando saw his header fly over the Gillingham bar and Kai Hammond headed wide as Welton pressed for an equaliser. Welton continued to press and Lewis broke free of the defence but fired his shot into the side netting. Just before half time Blammon saved well to deny Ben Salem who had broken through the Welton defence.

The second half saw the home side press for a second and on 55 minutes they were awarded their second penalty of the game when Andy Forward was adjudged to have fouled in the area much to the consternation of the travelling Green Army. Up stepped Gale again to score his and Gillingham’s second with a well taken spot kick. Welton continued to be in the game and their pressure and determination were rewarded in the 70^th minute, when the best move of the game, saw Keen win the ball on the right, find Lewis with a quality pass and Lewis curled the ball into the six yard box and Forward was on hand to score from close range. This made the last 20 minutes very interesting as Welton went all out for the equaliser. Good individual play by Jack Nix saw his effort cleared and the ball fell to Forward, who was 25yards out, and his first time shot was brilliantly saved by Hill to deny Welton the equaliser.

Welton Rovers 2-2 Cadbury Heath

The points were shared in this cracking game of football that was a credit to both teams and the large West Clewes crowd enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of top class football.

Welton started the game with two new signings in the line up, Chris Blammon in goal and Jack Metcalfe in defence. Straight from the kick off Welton showed their intentions when Andy Keen penetrated the visitors defence and fired in a great shot that was saved at full stretch by Simon Crawford in the Cadbury goal. Then Tom Pawley raced through for Welton and he was stopped by a last ditch tackle. Welton’s early efforts were rewarded after 7 minutes with a top drawer goal. Good work on the left flank by James Cooper saw him deliver a pin point cross into the box that was met by Keen’s diving header that flew into the Cadbury Heath goal to give Welton the lead. However three minutes later the visitors equalised when Matt Huxley, on loan from Conference side Weston Super Mare, met a ball on the edge of the Welton area and his superb overhead kick gave Blammon no chance in the Welton goal. The game began to settle down after the hectic start but the visitors were looking impressive in their attacks and the Welton defence had to be at their best to stop the constant pressure. However in the 25^th minute the visitors took the lead when Welton failed to clear their lines and Huxley fired in a shot that took a wicked deflection off a Welton defender and flew into the net. Just before halftime Welton got the ball in the Cadbury Heath net when Andy Forward met a free kick from Andy Catley at the same time as the keeper and both ended up in the net but referee ruled the goal out for a foul on the keeper.

The second half saw Welton go all out for the equaliser roared on by their supporters, Pawley broke through the Cadbury Heath defence with a good run, saw the keeper off his line, so struck a brilliant lob that had goal written all over it until the back tracking Crawford pulled off a brilliant acrobatic one handed save to claw the ball away from the goal. At the other end the dangerous Huxley broke through the Welton lines but his shot was well saved by Blammon. Welton continued to press and good work from sub Ashley Lewis saw him find Keen in space in front of the goal but the strikers’ effort went inches wide of the target. Welton weren’t going to be denied and with two minutes on the clock remaining good interplay between Catley and Pawley saw Pawley deliver a cross to the far end of the goal and that man Keen was on hand to drill the ball into the visitors net to give Welton a deserved equaliser. However in stoppage time Huxley rattled the Welton bar with a terrific shot after which referee Davies brought the proceedings to a close.

Welton Rovers 0-3 Calne Town

Welton’s stop start season continued at on Saturday with a defeat at the hands of second place Calne Town in a physical encounter at West Clewes.

Welton started off in good form with Kai Hammond dominating the early exchanges and following his good work he found James Cooper in space and he delivered a quality cross that was met by Andy Keen, but his effort went wide of the target. Welton continued to press and Tom Pawley attacked the Calne defence, beat two men and fired in a well struck shot that was saved by Jamie Bartlett in the Calne goal. The visitors first real effort saw Dan King’s effort long range effort whistle past the Welton post. This was a sign of things to come and on 15 minutes former Welton player Gary Banks picked up a ball from midfield, turned Matt Blammon and then fired in a cracking shot that gave Clayton Dando in the Welton goal no chance. Welton responded and good work by Andy Keen fell to Cooper free on the left and with an open goal in front of him,managed to skew his shot wide. Then Dan Scrivens got into the action and his shot from the edge of the area went inches wide. Just before halftime Clayton Dando brought off an outstanding save to deny Dan Lardner’s powerful header that had goal written all over it to keep Welton in the game.

The second half got underway with Cooper going close for Welton as they pressed for an equaliser. Welton were taking control of the game but as was the case in previous matches the final touch just wouldn’t happen. However the visitorslooked dangerous on the break and that’s just what happened in the 70^th minute when Levi Cox broke through the Welton defence and only a last gasp tackle by Blammon saved Welton but the ball went out for a corner. From the kick the ball fell into the mixture and fell to Dan Jones headed home from the edge of the six yard box to score the visitors second. Substitute Ashley Lewis then dribbled his way through the Calne defence and was one on one with the keeper but his final effort went wide of the target. Just before the final whistle Welton’s frustration came to a head when youngster Dan Scrivens was shown a straight red card by referee Owen for a crude tackle and just to rub salt into the wounds, with the last play of the game Lardner wrapped up things for the visitors when he tapped in from close range.

Almondsbury UWE 3-1 Welton Rovers

This was an incredible game of football, Welton completely dominated the game which saw them miss two absolute sitters, had three efforts cleared off the UWE goal line with the keeper beaten and had in excess of a dozen corners and still came away empty handed.

The game got underway on a very heavy pitch and it took a while for both teams to get to grip with the difficult playing surface. Dan Scrivens down, Welton’s right flank, was lively and had a good shot on target cleared by the UWE defence. First real chance of the game fell to the home side and Wayne Pierces, shot went high over the Welton bar. On the half hour good work by Dan Rosser on the left won a corner and Andy Catleys delivery was met on the rise by Andy Keen, and his header had goal written all over it until a UWE boot cleared it off the goal line. Welton were putting the home side under constant pressure and Greg Dando met another Welton corner only to see his effort cleared off the line for a corner. This time Matt Blammon met the corner kick with a bullet header only again to see his effort cleared off the line with the keeper well beaten. The travelling Welton supporters couldn’t believe their eyes. On the stroke of half time Tom Pawley broke through the Almondsbury defence and his cracking shot went inches wide.

The second half began with Welton pressing but on 50 minutes Almondsbury took the lead. Welton conceded a needless free kick just outside the box. Up stepped Simon McElroy who hit an absolute gem of a shot that gave Clayton Dando in the Welton goal no chance. Welton responded and Pawley in space shot wide. Minute’s later good work by skipper Andy Forward saw him set up Pawley, who had a wide open goal at his mercy but he somehow managed to shoot wide of the target from ten yards out. The home side were always looking dangerous on the counter attack and on 65 minutes Pierce broke free and set up McElroy who made no mistake to score his and Almondsbury’s second. Welton continued to press what was now a blanket defence by Almondsbury and Welton won a succession of corners but just couldn’t get the ball in the net. Then James Cooper missed an absolute sitter when he fired high over the bar with an open goal at his mercy. With minutes remaining Almondsbury rubbed salt into Welton wounds when Sam Peplow scored for the home side. Just before the final whistle Welton at long last got the ball in the Almondsbury net when Keen drilled in a quality free kick from the edge of the area.

Les Phillips Cup 1^st Round.

Welton Rovers 2-1 Longwell Green Sports

Welton produced an outstanding all round team performance in defeating their Premier league opponents Longwell Green Sports to progress to the next round of the Les Phillips Cup.

Before the kick off both sets of players, officials and supporters held a minutes silence in respect of Remembrance Day. The game got under way and it was Welton who showed first with an effort from James Cooper blocked by the visitors defence. Tom Pawley then broke through the Longwell Green defence and he was brought down on the edge of the box. Andy Catleys free kick was blasted straight at the wall. Welton continued to probe and a very good attack led by defender Dan Rosser on the right saw him deliver a pin point cross that was met by Andy Keen and his bullet header flew inches wide of the far post. The visitor’s first attack saw Andy Summers meet a free kick and head over the Welton bar. Austin Byefield in the visitor’s goal was called into action in quick succession as he fisted away a Catley shot and a minute later he had his feet to thank for saving Keens snap shot as Welton dominated proceedings. Minutes later the keeper did well to save Pawley’s cracking shot. On 36 minutes Pawley again broke through the visitors defence but this time he was brought down in the box and referee Mr Ricketts had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Welton’s leading goal scorer Keen made no mistake with his spot kick to give Welton the lead they thoroughly deserved. As half time approached Welton got a second, this time another free kick on the edge of the area was driven in with force by Keen, Byefield could only block it and the ball fell to Welton captain Andy Forward who tapped in from close range.

 The second half saw the visitors come more into the game but Welton were not resting on their laurels and continued to press for more goals and a Matt Blammon free kick tested Byefield early on and Keen was off target with a shot. The visitors pulled a goal back in bizarre circumstances in the 60^th minute. A free kick from deep out on the right hit the top of Chris Dauncy’s boot and the ball looped high over the Welton defence and Andy King in the Welton goal and into the net. Although this gave the visitors added impetus they rarely troubled the Welton back line and Welton nearly got a third following great play between Kai Hammond and Keen and the visitors had their keeper to thank for pulling off another good save. At the other end King was at his best to deny James Fitzpatrick, but Welton continued to press and a rasping shot from Rosser was palmed away by Byefield. As the half ended Welton were playing keep ball and when referee Ricketts, who also had a very good game, blew full time the Green Army went home very contented with a fine result.

Bradford Town 4-1 Welton Rovers

Despite taking an early lead Welton ended up being well beaten by a lively Bradford Town side in this Toolstation league one fixture.

Welton came out of the blocks with all guns blazing and put early pressure on the Bradford defence and it was all Welton for the first five minutes. However the home side won a corner on the right and a quality delivery was met by Matt Minnis and his goal bound header was cleared off the line by Dan Scrivens. However Welton responded and Welton won a free kick out on the left. Up stepped Craig Coles who launched a deep cross that was met by Welton striker Andy Keen who powered his header into the Bradford net to give Welton the lead. Minutes later Welton had a clear penalty shout when skipper Andy Forward was blatantly pushed over in the box, but much to the consternation of the travelling green army no penalty was given. Bradford then began to settle and looked very lively in attack and on 20 minutes they equalised. Another corner was delivered into the mixer, Welton couldn’t clear it and the ball fell to Dan Shanley and his shot was deflected into the Welton net. This appeared to knock the stuffing out of Welton as the home side dominated with both Minnis and Matt Cooper going close with efforts. Welton were further knocked back when influential defender Matt Blammon picked up an injury and had to be substituted. Right on the stroke of halftime Bradford took the lead when Minnis broke free of the static Welton defence, raced towards goal and as Scott Armstrong closed him down; Minnis lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.

The second half started with the home side looking to increase their lead and it came in the 50^th minute, another Bradford attack saw the ball fall to Jake Hiscocks who was 25 yards out and he struck an unstoppable shot that flew into the bottom corner of the Welton net. Welton tried to respond with Haydon Watts and Kai Hammond combining well but the final ball was to often going astray. The home side seemed to settle for the score line and despite Weltons best efforts Bradfords defence looked steady. With minutes remaining Bradford got their fourth. A fine cross from Liam Milburn on the left flank was met by Matt Cooper and he drilled his shot into the Welton net to wrap things up for the home side.

Roman Glass St George 2-1 Welton Rovers

Welton’s winning run came to a halt on a windy afternoon at Almondsbury where Roman Glass now play. Welton kicked off with the strong wind behind their backs and immediately put the home defence under pressure. Three minutes into the game Welton really should have opened their account when a mix up in defence saw the home keeper stranded on the edge of the area and the ball fell to Andy Keen, and with an empty wide open goal in front of him the striker managed to skew his shot wide of the target. The lively Andy Hamilton-Dunn then broke free of the Welton back four, but he was closed down by Welton keeper Scott Armstrong and the Roman Glass striker cracked his effort wide. Welton continued to press and the ball fell to youngster Jack Nix and his excellent strike was well saved by James Morgan in the Glass goal. Welton defender Michal Caputa then got in the action as he raced through the Roman Glass defence and fired his shot over the bar. On the half hour and against the run of play the home side took the lead in unfortunate circumstances, a fine run down the right by Mickey Golding saw him send in a fierce drive that Armstrong spilled and the ball fell to Hamilton-Dunn who scored from close range. Welton went all out for the equaliser and a header from defender Greg Dando went close, and good play from Nix, down the right saw him deliver a quality cross that Keen headed wide.

The second half saw Welton going all out for the equaliser, but they had to be wary of the lively Roman Glass forward line and the counter attack. Welton manager Nick Beaverstock brought on substitutes Hayden Watts and Dan Rosser to liven things up. Welton were putting the Roman Glass defence under the cosh with lively attacks down both flanks lead by Nix and Dan Scrivens, who was having a good game for Welton, but the all important goal would just not happen. Dando went close with an overhead kick that beat the keeper but was cleared off the line. It was a relentless Welton onslaught on the home side. However with ten minutes remaining Roman Glass launched a counterattack involving the pace of Hamilton-Dunn and he slipped the ball to substitute Nathan Bell who drilled the ball past Armstrong into the Welton net. Straight from the restart Welton responded, an attack down the right found Keen and his shot took a deflection and flew into the Glass net. The last ten minutes were frantic but despite Welton’s best efforts they could not get the all important second goal and left North Bristol empty handed

Welton Rovers 4-1 Westbury United

In temperatures akin to high summer Welton got back to winning ways with an impressive win over Westbury United and at the end of the game the team left the pitch to a great ovation from the Welton faithful.

Welton welcomed back former player Matt Blammon in the centre of defence and it took Welton only 5 minutes to open the scoring. A quality cross from the right from Tom Pawley was met by Andy Keen at the far post and he thumped his header firmly into the Westbury net giving Alex Shaftoe in the Westbury goal no chance. The visitors equalised five minutes later in bizarre fashion, a long goal kick struck Powley on the back of his head and the ball flew over the Welton defence and fell at the feet of Mark Young, and he slotted the ball past Scott Armstrong in the Welton goal. Welton didn’t let this setback get them down and they continued to probe and penetrate the Westbury defence and it came as no surprise when Welton scored their second. Good work in mid field by Jack Nix saw him set up Kai Hammond on the edge of the Westbury penalty area and he launched an unstoppable shot that flew into the Westbury net. Nix himself then got into the action as he struck a fine shot that went inches over the Westbury bar as Welton pressed for more goals. And as halftime approached both Keen and Dan Scivens went close to increasing Weltons lead.

The second half saw Welton continue were they left off at the end of the first half, Hammond broke through the static Westbury defence but his effort was well blocked by Shaftoe for a corner and from the kick the ball was delivered right into the mix and there was an almighty melee of players trying to get the final touch on the ball but in the end Westbury somehow cleared the ball. Welton were not going to be denied a third. Good attacking play by Andy Forward and Scrivens saw the ball delivered to Keen on the edge of the area and his first time shot flew into the Westbury net to score a very good goal. As the temperature continued to rise it was a credit to both sets of players as they continued to play attacking, entertaining football despite the October heat. Welton wrapped things up with ten minutes to go when another attack wasn’t dealt with properly and the ball fell to full back Craig Coles, in space on the edge of the area, and he volleyed home to score Welton’s fourth and his first goal for two seasons to seal a very good day at the office for Welton Rovers.

Chard Town 2-1 Welton Rovers

Welton made the trip to South Somerset and can feel rightly aggrieved that they didn’t return home with at least a point in this hard fought Division One game.

Welton were all geared up after their fine win away at Melksham and they kicked off down the slope at Chard, but it was the home side who settled the best and they were using both flanks in their early attacks and Welton keeper Scott Armstrong did well to block an effort from Gary Spiller. Welton were getting into the flow of the game and good play by Kai Hammond saw him set up Haydon Watts and his first time effort from 20 yards out flew over the Chard bar. There was a good pace to the game as both teams sought out that all important first goal. A good Welton attack saw Watts find Andy Keen with a pin point pass and his delivery flew across the six yard area waiting for a Welton foot to connect with the ball. Good work by Tom Smith saw him find Watts free on the left and his cracking shot was well saved by Stuart Parris in the Chard goal. At the other end Armstrong did well to save a well struck shot from Chard captain Andy Martin. As half time approached Welton had a good penalty shout turned down by referee Barter when Andy Forward appeared to be brought down in the box.

The second half saw the home side using the slope to their advantage and piling the pressure on the Welton defence, Jon Hurford went close with a delicate lob that landed on the roof of the Welton net and a minute later Hurford headed over the Welton bar from close range as Welton were penned down in their own half. Stuart Gibbs then produced a last ditch tackle to save Welton from going behind. On 65 minutes Chard were awarded a penalty when Michael Caputa brought down Spiller in the area and Sam Clark made no mistake with his spot kick. Welton resumed and straight from the kick off the ball was drilled into the Chard penalty area and as Hammond went for the ball he was clearly bundled over which looked like a stone wall penalty but much to the consternation of the Welton players and the travelling Green Army referee Barter signalled play on and to make matters worse the ball was hit out long and found Clarke who raced into the Welton area and slotted the ball past Armstrong to score his and Chard’s second. The game was in danger of boiling over when a large melee occurred in the Chard half and Welton manager Nick Beaverstock was sent off from the dugouts. Welton were rewarded for their continued efforts when substitute Jack Nix scored a fine goal well into stoppage time at the end of the game.

FA Vase First Round Qualifying.

Wells City 2-0 Welton Rovers

Despite a spirited all round team performance Weltons interest in this year’s competition ended when they were beaten by their Premier League opponents Wells City on a blustery afternoon in Somerset.

The home side took the game to Welton straight from the kick off and Ben Robertson met a corner from the left only to see his powerful header fly over the Welton bar. Further pressure saw a wind assisted free kick from Matt Hurley fly into the grateful hands of Welton keeper Clayton Dando. Wells took the lead after only six minutes with a fine individual goal from Steve Murray. He picked up the ball on the left and roared into the Welton area leaving Greg Dando struggling and finished off in style with a well taken goal. Welton responded and good work from player/manager Nick Beaverstock saw him find James Billing, who beat two men, only to scuff his final shot. Then Welton’s Andy Forward got into the action and his strike was well saved by Wells keeper Luke Langdon who was called into action again, minutes later, to deal with an overhead kick from Andy Keen. Welton continued to press and an effort from Billing landed on the roof of the Wells net. Dando kept Welton in the game just before half time with two outstanding saves first to deny Murray and then tipped a 25yard screamer from Nathan Truckle over the bar.

The second half began with the strong wind behind Welton and saw them go all out for the equaliser with efforts from Billing and Keen both going close. However the home side weathered the storm and a through ball from Matt Hurley found Murray, who looked yards offside, but play continued and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball past Dando to score his second and Wells second to wrap up the tie. Weltons heads dropped but they came through it and Keen headed over the Wells bar and minutes later a goal mouth melee in the Wells area saw the ball bouncing all over the place before Keen got his boot on to strike a goal bound shot only to hit another Welton player on the back and go wide of the target. Just before the final whistle Welton’s Haydon Watts was sent off as his frustration got the better of him.

Welton Rovers 1-2 Keynsham Town

After their Bank Holiday success over Hengrove the Welton faithful were hoping the team could continue their improvement but they were disappointed as Welton produced a lack lustre performance at West Clewes.

Welton started off lively enough and good work by captain Mark Rowlands saw him find James Billing in space and his shot was cleared by a Keynsham boot. Andy Sparks then got into the action and his shot from the edge of the area went inches wide of the target. It was all Welton early on and an effort from Andy Forward was saved at full stretch by Keynsham keeper Ryan Perry. Welton’s early pressure was rewarded after 10 minutes when Billing met a deep cross from Andy Catley and headed home past Perry to give the home side the lead. The visitors responded and Steve Machin and Rich Healey both went close with their efforts. Welton were sitting back and it came as no surprise when in the 25^th minute Healey who was unmarked ten yards from goal met a cross from the right and headed home past Clayton Dando in the Welton goal. Just before the half time whistle a snap shot from Billing flew over the Keynsham bar.

The second half started with substitutes Jack Nix and Dan Scrivens coming on as Welton looked to raise their game, but it was the visitors who looked the livelier. Dando did well to tip a wayward back pass over his bar whilst under pressure from the visitors forwards. Welton had a couple of efforts from Joe Bradley and Billing but both were well wide of the mark. The game was bogged down in midfield with Welton unable to penetrate the Keynsham defence and with ten minutes to go Keynsham got the all important second goal. Good play by Luke Lipinski saw him find substitute Josh Bruton on the edge of the Welton area and he calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing Dando into the empty net to secure all three points for the visitors.

Hengrove Athletic Reserves 0-4 Welton Rovers Reserves

Welton Reserves continued their good run of form with a comfortable win over their opponents from South Bristol.  James Cooper scored the only goal in the first half, however another goal from Cooper and two from Adam Pugsley saw Welton dominate the second half and come away with the three points.

FA Cup Extra preliminary round.

Welton Rovers 0-5 Larkhall Athletic

Welton’s interest in this years competition was short lived when they were well beaten by last seasons league champions Larkhall Athletic.

Welton started brightly enough and for the first 20 minutes completely dominated the play and James Billing shot straight at the Larkhall keeper followed by a shot on the turn from Andy Sparks that went inches wide. Welton continued to press and were playing neat attacking football but with no end result. The visitors did get the ball in the Welton net but the effort was ruled out. Larkhall were gradually creeping into the game and a shot from Simeon Allinson saw Clayton Dando in the Welton goal bring off a good save. Minutes later their was a lengthy injury delay as Dando raced out of his area and won the ball but in doing so collided with the Larkhall attacker. After lengthy treatment the keeper carried on and he was in obvious difficulty. Ex Welton player Nick Hudson then headed against the Welton bar and in the 38^th minute the visitors opened the scoring when Allinson met a cross from the right and slotted it home. Dando couldn’t carry on and was replaced by Andy King in goal. In the last minute of the half Welton nearly equalised when Andy Forwards first time shot was well saved by Ashley Wintle in the Larkhall goal.

The second half saw the visitors step up a gear to which Welton had no real answer; straight from the kick off a rasping shot from Nat Auckland was cleared of the Welton goal line. On 52 minutes a cross from the left was spilled by King and the ball fell at the feet of Auckland who made no mistake from close range. Two minutes Larkhall got their third when a cross from Allinson was met by Tyler Sibbeck who headed home. With fifteen minutes to go Sibbeck got his second and Larkhalls fourth when he turned his shot in at the near post and with minutes remaining Larkhall sub, Ryan Bath, got on the score sheet to put number five into Weltons net to leave Welton and their supporters completely shell shocked.

Frys Club Reserves 0-3 Welton Rovers Reserves

Welton Reserves got their first three points of this season’s campaign with a fine victory over Frys Club. The win was even more commendable as the Reserves had to play with ten men for over two thirds of the game after the early sending off of Dan Reynolds. Two goals from Nick Hemmings and one from Anthony Dibble did the damage for Welton

Portishead Town 2-2 Welton Rovers

Welton had a baptism of fire in their first match in Division One of the Toolstation league. Having gone two down at halftime things looked bleak for Welton, however a spirited second half performance saw them come back and snatch a vital point at the death.

Welton started lively enough and a corner from the right from Haydon Watts saw Portishead keeper, Seb Cribble, back track to tip the ball over his bar. Welton continued to press and a long goal kick from Andy King was met by Jack Niks and his first time volley screamed over the Portishead bar. The home side finally woke up and a good effort from Andy Lynch was tipped over the Welton bar by King. Craig Coles saw his drilled ball into the Portishead box cause all sorts of problems before it was finally cleared. However on 38 minutes Portishead took the lead when a free kick from the right was met by Jamie Clarke who headed over the out rushing King to see the ball drop into the Welton net. Just before half time Welton hearts sank even lower when a corner from the right was met by Portishead central defender Rich Gill, who out jumped the Welton defence to head the ball to Simon Kelly who made no mistake from close range to give the home side a two goal lead at the break.

Welton resumed obviously fired up after the half time team talk from manager Nick Beaverstock and launched a series of attacks on the Portishead defence. Niks got the ball into the Portishead net but his effort was ruled out after referee Mr Durkin spotted some pushing. Welton substitutes James Cooper and Michael Caputa were brought on by manager Beaverstock and this certainly had an effect as Welton pressed. A cracking effort from Coles went inches past the Portishead goal. With 15 minutes remaining Welton got the vital breakthrough, quality play from Welton captain Mark Rowlands in midfield saw him deliver a pin point pass to striker Andy Keen and his shot on the turn flew into the Portishead goal. It was all Welton now as they went all out for the equaliser. The game had gone well into added time when a shot from Niks was fumbled round the post for a corner by keeper Cribble. Niks took the corner and delivered a quality cross that landed right in the mixer and in the ensuing melee Keen was on hand to stab the ball into the net much to the delight of the travelling Welton faithful.

Welton Rovers 3-1 Corsham Town

Welton bade farewell to the Toolstation Premier League with a stunning victory over mid table Corsham Town, this was only Welton’s fourth league win in what had been a challenging season for all concerned.

Welton got off to a flying start with constant pressure on the visitor’s goal and Steve Bridges and Mark Reynolds were combining well. A free kick on the edge of the area was delivered into the six yard area by Mark Rowlands and there followed an almighty scramble as efforts from Haydon Watts and Greg Dando were cleared off the Corsham goal line. The visitors responded and a long throw found Eddie Baldwin free in the Welton box and his first time effort went inches wide of the Welton post. Welton continued to press forward and a long range effort from Watts was saved by Corsham keeper Craig Edwards, and Edwards was at his best to deny Andy Forwards cracking shot. Further good play from Welton saw Ashley Lewis set up Reynolds and his rasping shot beat the keeper but a Corsham boot was on hand to clear the ball off the line for the third time in the half. Then just before half time Watts was clean through on goal and his well struck shot was saved at point blank range by Edwards to deny Welton an opening goal their play deserved.

The second half started as the first half ended with Welton pressing for the opening goal roared on by the Welton faithful, and Watts got himself in space and let fly only to see his shot palmed away by the keeper. Welton continued to press but just couldn’t make the vital break through. In the 65^th minute the visitor’s were awarded a penalty when Ben Moore was brought down in the box by James Billing. Up stepped substitute Andy Ledgister who made no mistake with his spot kick. Welton kept their heads up and ten minutes later were rewarded with a deserved equaliser, good play from Lewis and Bridges saw Reynolds found at the far post and the striker made no mistake as he volleyed his effort into the Corsham net. Minutes later Lewis was clean through on goal but his cracking shot hit the keeper full in the face to deny Welton a second. However with five minutes remaining brilliant football from Welton saw the ball fall to Bridges on the left and he delivered a first time quality cross that found Reynolds in space in the area and he drilled his shot into the Corsham net for his and Welton’s second. Just before the final whistle Welton wrapped things up when good work from Watts found Bridges on a charge through the middle and he thumped his shot into the empty Corsham net. A great result for Welton and although they maybe down they are certainly not out.

Welton Rovers 1-1 Radstock Town

In one of the most competitive local derby’s seen at West Clewes for many a year both teams took a share of the spoils in front of a large bank holiday crowd basking in the abnormally high temperatures and sunshine for this time of the year.

Welton started the livelier and a good move from Mark Rowlands saw him set up Andy Forward but his final shot hit the Radstock side netting. The visitors then got their act together and a free kick from deep by ex Welton player Lee Bryant landed in the mixer only to be cleared and Kristian Miller then went close with a first time effort. The game was going from end to end with both defences being put under pressure. Craig Coles saw his well struck shot from distance saved well by Gary Stevens in the visitor’s goal, then Ashley Lewis was clean through in the box and with the Welton faithful encouraging him to shoot first time, he passed the ball which was subsequently cleared. A moment of magic saw Radstock take the lead after 20 minutes, a long throw from Matt Cowler found Barry Sandquist at the edge of the Welton area, and he fired in a tremendous overhead volley on the turn that flew into the corner of the Welton net giving keeper Andy King no chance. A very good goal indeed. Steve Bridges then got booked for a challenge on Ben Newby but Welton responded and good play from Mark Reynolds and James Cooper saw his pass find Coles but his final effort went wide of the target. Welton continued to press and good play from Rowlands saw him skip two tackles only to win a corner, Bridges quality delivery found Lewis at the edge of the box and his powerful header roared over the line only for a Radstock boot to clear. The assistant referee, who was up with play, clearly indicated that the ball had crossed the line and Welton had equalised. The tension was obviously mounting and just before half time a melee of a half a dozen players saw referee Derrien reading the riot act and booking Rowlands and Miller.

The second half got under way with both sides pressing and with incidents happening on and off the ball referee Derrian had his work cut out. Within five minutes of the restart a Radstock attack was thwarted by Welton,s player manager Nick Beaverstock . In the course of this, an incident occurred which saw Beaverstock receive a nasty shoulder injury and ended up in a large melee of players from both teams giving advice to Mr Darrien and themselves and the game was halted for five minutes. Subsequently Radstock’s Twaine Plummer was booked. After all of that was sorted out the game fell back into a midfield battle with neither side taking control of events and the fractious nature of the encounter was simmering just below the surface. The visitors player manger Terry Moore who had brought himself on as a substitute saw his effort saved by King and just before the final whistle Welton’s best move of the half saw Hayden Watts play the ball out of defence to find Lewis, Watts continued his run, and was found with a neat return ball and his delivery beat the keeper and was crying out for a Welton foot to connect with it, but none were there and in the end the points were shared.