FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Welton Rovers 0-1 United Services Portsmouth

Welton welcomed their visitors from the South coast to West Clewes in the first ever meeting between the two clubs and this was Welton’s first appearance in the FA Cup since 2016.

The game got under way in front of another large crowd on a glorious summer afternoon and Welton keeper Alfie Kelsey was soon called into action when he turned Dan Sibley shot away for a corner.

Welton responded immediately and a cracking run down the right saw Jaiden Savery deliver a pin point pass into the six yard box with the ball begging for a Welton boot to connect with it.

Welton were certainly causing the visitors problems down the right with Toby Cole and Savery combining well.

The lively Sibley then delivered another cross into the Welton area that was met by Vinnie McGee and his bullet header flew inches wide of the Welton upright.

The game was going from end to end and credit to both sets of players for an exciting spell of play in the hot conditions. Cole was then found with a long ball, he took it under control and struck the ball first time, beating the keeper only to see it veer away from the goal at the last minute.

As Welton pressed for the opening goal Savery saw his curling effort tipped over the bar by Portsmouth keeper Owen Craig and a shot on the turn from Will Gould beat the keeper only for a defender to clear the ball off the line.

Just before halftime the visitors took the lead in bizarre circumstances, a free kick on the right from Sibley was drilled into the area, Kelsey had it covered but the ball took the slightest nick off Jacob Watson’s side enough to divert it past Kelsey and into the net.

The second half saw Welton come straight out of the blocks to go all out for the equaliser, a corner from the right saw Cam Allens delivery fly over the defenders and keeper and curl into the top far corner of the net, but a defender who was two steps behind the goal line headed the ball clear.

There was an enormous shout from players and supporters alike that the ball had crossed the line but the Assistant Referee signalled in his opinion that the ball had not crossed the line much to the dismay of the Welton faithful.

Good attacking play from Ben Wych saw him thread the ball through to Gould but his shot was off target. A cross from the left was met by Welton sub Joe Kemmerey and his glancing header went inches wide of the target.

Wych then drove through the visitors defence only to see his final effort saved low down by Craig.

It was all Welton as they laid siege to the visitors half, at times Portsmouth had all eleven players behind the ball in their own half. Craig then made another good save to keep Allens effort.

After another Welton attack had been halted, the Assistant Referee then signalled to the referee that he had spotted something and as a result Welton went down to ten men after Wych was sent off, Kelsey was booked and Kelly Nwaehi was booked for the visitors.

Welton went all out for the equaliser but just couldn’t break down the visitors defence who held firm despite the Welton pressure.

Just before the final whistle another melee involving a number of players at the far end of the pitch resulted in two United Services players being ordered off by the referee, one a straight red card, the other second yellow card.

However the nine men held on for the remaining few minutes and Weltons FA Cup experience came to a disappointing end.

Next Saturday August 13th Welton entertain Sherborne Town at West Clewes KO 3pm.

Bob Allard