It has been another busy week at West Clewes, with the club's grandstand now demolished and the ground work commencing this week. Local companies are still being asked to consider sponsoring a seat or the stand itself.
Last Friday night, Welton's First XI hosted Gloucester County League newcomers, AEK Boco, in the latest of their pre-season friendlies. It was, therefore, no surprise that Welton took the spoils, but the 7–0 margin had not been expected. The goals came from Anthony Conradi (2), Mark Reynolds (2), Theo Salassi (2) and Ben Harris. The final friendly will be at West Clewes this Saturday against Fry's Club, kick-off at 3 p.m.
Last Saturday, the Reserves took on Trowbridge Wanderers, the game ending all square at 1–1, with the Welton goal coming from Billy Cooper.
Welton Rovers u-18s 0 Bristol City u-18s 3
The afternoon started out with club representatives, Clayton Dando and Stu Minall, presenting Yvonne Brunton, of Dorothy House Hospice, with a cheque for all of the money raised across the last five months – the majority of which was raised in memory of club stalwart, Paul Ingram.
The game got underway in front of a large crowd at West Clewes on a pleasant Sunday afternoon for football and it was the visitors who dominated proceedings from the start. Early on, a curling shot from the lively George Nash for City flashed past the Welton goal. Welton tried to penetrate the Bristol defence, but they were thwarted by strong defending in numbers by City and it was with the run of play that Bristol took the lead on 25 minutes, when a cracking shot from Nash hit the Welton upright, the ball fell to Bradley Champion, who fired into the empty net to give the visitors the lead.
Just before half-time, Welton keeper, Billy Barter, produced two outstanding saves to deny Llewelyn and Champion. But with virtually the final play of the half, the visitors got a second when a quality long ball from the left fell to Bradley Champion in space and the youngster made no mistake with his well-struck shot.
The second-half was only minutes old when City got a third, as Ishmal was brought down on the edge of the area. Up stepped Nash and he struck a cracking free kick that flew over the Welton wall into the top corner of the net that gave the keeper no chance. After this, the visitors eased off a bit, allowing Welton to press in numbers, but despite the best efforts of Welton, the solid City defence could not be broken down and the game ended with the Bristol City youngsters taking the victory.