The new season got off to a disappointing start for Welton when, after dominating the game for long periods, they failed to find the net and were undone by a set-piece goal ten minutes from the end from the visitors.

The West Clewes pitch was in remarkably good condition despite the soaring temperatures of recent weeks, and much credit must go to groundsman, Shaver Sims, for all his hard work.

Welton fielded three new signings in their starting eleven, full-back, Ashley Scott, midfielder, Lewis Hunt, and striker, Dave Cooper. The game got underway, and great play by Hunt saw him thread a through ball to Cooper in space, but the ball just ran away from the striker.

Welton were taking the game to the visitors, and a pin-point cross from Alex Wych on the left saw the ball fall to Dylan Hyatt, whose bicycle kick saw the ball go wide of the target. Welton maintained the pressure on the Corsham defence, and a cracking shot from Aaron Seviour was cleared, while Cooper’s clever dummy sent the keeper the wrong way, and with the goal at his mercy he fired his shot inches wide.

Scott then got in on the action, beating two men before launching an off target long-range shot. Skipper, Joe Garland, then met a corner from the right, to see his header go wide. The half-hour mark had long been passed before Corsham had their first attempt on Welton’s goal, and this was a thirty-yard shot from Lewis McCarron, that sailed over Tom Drewitt’s bar. As half-time loomed, a shot on the turn from Cooper flew over the Corsham bar. Welton dominated the half, but the opening goal eluded them.

Welton started the second half like the first, putting the visitors’ defence on the back foot. A penetrating run by Chris Pile saw him find Seviour, who in turn, found Cooper, but his effort was cleared for a corner. The corner was met by Garland, who rose above the defence only to see his glancing header go agonisingly wide of the far post.

Corsham responded, and a driven shot from McCarron was saved at full-stretch by Drewitt. Serviour was tormenting the Corsham defence with his pace, and another good delivery fell to Cooper in space, but his shot was wide of the goal. Another corner on the left for Welton was met by Hunt, but his firm header went straight into the arms of Corsham keeper, Mark Billingsley.

Welton were relentless in their attacks, and good play from Cooper saw him set up Pile on a charge, but his power-driver of a shot flashed past the far post, with the keeper beaten. A long goal-kick from Billingsley fell to Danny King, who raced towards the Welton goal and fired in a cracking shot that Drewitt got his fingertips to and diverted the ball onto the Welton post and away.

The inevitable happened in the 81st minute, when Welton gave away a free-kick on the edge of the area in a central position. Up stepped Corsham Captain, King, who fired in a brilliant shot that went over the wall and flew into the net by the far post to give the visitors the lead. Welton were shell-shocked by this, and despite further attempts, the Corsham defence held firm and it was the visitors who secured the first three points of the season.

Next Saturday, 11th August, Welton entertain Ashton and Backwell at West Clewes; kick off 3 p.m.

Bob Allard