It was back to league action for Welton on a balmy Tuesday evening against their visitors from South Somerset and if Welton wanted a lesson on how difficult the step up to the Premier Division would be this was it.

After only a minute, a loose ball out of defence by Welton allowed Jake Quick to pounce and his firm shot flew inches past the far upright. It was a fast and furious start from both sides considering the tropical conditions, Ben Wych delivered a free kick from the left that flew straight into the mix where it was eventually cleared by the visitors defence.

As Welton pressed further a Cam Allen shot was saved low down by Wellington keeper Rob Hall. The visitors took the lead on fifteen minutes when hesitation and a mix up in the Welton defence allowed in Sam Towler who powered his shot directly into the Welton net. A minute later, Wellington made it two when Jake Quick rounded his marker to drill the ball into the net.

Welton were initially shell shocked by these two blows but pulled themselves together and got a goal back in the twentieth minute. A corner from the right saw the ball fall to Jaiden Savery just outside the area and his grass cutter shot went through a crowd of players and Hall, who saw it late, could do nothing to stop it going into the net.

Further good play from Allen saw him find Lewis Hunt in space who in turn dinked a ball into the mix where Toby Cole was a millimetre away from connecting with it. At the other end a shot from Tom Stone rocked the Welton bar and again the ball wasn’t cleared and fell to Stone, who appeared to be in a clear offside position, who fired home.

Despite Welton’s protests the referee awarded the goal but eventually he consulted with his assistant and disallowed the goal for offside.

Welton keeper Alfie Kelsey was on top form when he produced a brilliant save to deny Towler as the visitors continued to press. As halftime approached Will Gould was put clean through on goal, he raced into the area where Wellington keeper Hall unceremoniously bundled him over. All round West Clewes the cry went out for a penalty but referee Halford wasn’t having any of it and waved play on much to the consternation of the Green Army.

The visitors went straight up the other end and a cross was met by Towler who lobbed Kelsey and watched the ball float into the net to make it three for Wellington at halftime.

After such an explosive first half, the second half was always going to be a bit quieter as Wellington were content with their lead and despite Welton’s best efforts, Hall was rarely troubled in the visitors goal. Welton’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost Cole to an injury and Hunt was sin binned for ten minutes by Mr Halford for something he said. To rub salt in Welton’s wounds the visitors got a fourth when Matt Morris firmly tackled Nat Groom in the area. Much to the astonishment of the crowd, Mr Halford awarded the visitors a penalty. Upstepped Wellington captain Sam Towler who fired in his spot kick in off the post to secure his hat trick and Wellington’s fourth goal.

Bob Allard