Welton earned a well-deserved point in a feisty encounter with Wells at the Athletic Ground, Rowdens Road.

??It was a dank, gloomy Saturday afternoon in Wells, but a large number of the Green Army had made the trip over the Mendips to cheer on the lads. It was the hosts who pressed early on, and good play from Ross Padfield saw him flash his shot across the Welton six yard box.

After only five minutes, Welton’s Joe Garland was needlessly booked for kicking the ball away, so he had to be careful for the rest of the game. Tom Drewitt then produced a top-drawer save to deny Harry Foster who had finished off a quality Wells attack with a stunning shot on target.

Welton responded and won a couple of corners which were dealt with by the Wells defence. The hosts continued to press, and Craig Herrof broke free and fired in a cracking shoot that was saved by the legs of Drewitt. Welton were weathering the early storm and were gradually getting more into the game. A free kick from Sam Stoppard went inches over the Wells bar and Wells keeper, Josh Bond, saved well to deny Liam Evans’ snap shot from the left.

Just before half-time, good play from Welton saw Scott Hatcher put through on a charge and his rasping shot was palmed away by Bond to deny Welton the opening goal.

Straight from the start of the second half, Welton broke the deadlock with a quality opening goal. The ball was threaded through to Dylan Hatt and the youngster attacked the Wells defence before delivering an excellent through ball to Evans, who was on a charge into the area, and he smashed home a superb strike that flew past the keeper and into the net, much to the delight of the Green Army.

Wells responded and only brave defending from Welton denied Dale Hunt. Then, a cross from the left was met by Foster, who thumped his shot goal-bound, only for full-back, Stoppard, to throw himself at the ball to deflect it for a corner. However, as the hosts continued to press for an equaliser, Harvey Hadrill was hauled down in the box by Garland, and referee, Lewis, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Foster, who drilled the spot kick into the far corner; Drewitt guessed right but couldn’t get strong enough hands on the ball to keep it out.

Minutes later, Drewitt was called into action again when he saved with his out- stretched hand to deny Steve Sokol. Welton responded, and good play from Harry Barter and Hatt saw them dissect the Wells defence, only for the ball to be cleared at the final moment.

As both sides pressed for the second goal, Welton had Captain, Tom Smith, to thank for clearing away a goal-bound header and round off a very good shift at the back. A long throw from Will Hunter was met by Welton substitute, Tom Lakeman, who had his back to goal, but he confidently launched an overhead kick that flew inches wide of the near post. In the end, neither side could get the vital next goal and the points were shared, which was just about the right result.

This Saturday, 30th November, Welton entertain Devizes Town at West Clewes, kick-off 3 p.m.

The Reserves played their first game in five weeks and won 2–1 against third place AFC Brislington and sit proudly at the top of the table. Bob Allard