BRIDGWATER TOWN 5 WELTON ROVERS 0

Welton’s interest in this season’s FA Vase came to an abrupt halt at Fairfax Park when they were well beaten by an impressive Premier Division Bridgwater side.

Despite the horrendous morning conditions, a very large contingent of the Green Army made the trip to support Welton and boosted the attendance to near on 200.

David Regula started off causing problems for the hosts’ defence down the left and his shot was scampered away for a corner which came to nothing. Welton keeper, Matt Dunk, was then called into action to save well to deny Jack Taylor. Bridgwater took the lead after only two minutes in bizarre fashion. A corner on the left from Tom Fry sailed over into the mix.

Dunk went to collect the ball, but was blocked by a mixture of players in the six-yard box and the ball looked like it was going out till a gust of wind took it against the far post and into the net. Minutes later, Dunk produced a quality save low down to deny full back, Dave Thorne.

Welton responded and a corner from Scott Hatcher was met by Chris Pile on the edge of the area and his first time shot was deflected away for another corner. Welton continued to press and good play from Courtney Charles saw him square the ball to Regula in space, but with the goal at his mercy he skewed his shot wide of the target. Bridgwater weathered this Welton storm and responded with a fluent attack that saw the ball fall to Fry, twenty yards out and he made no mistake as he drilled his shot low down into the Welton net to score his and Bridgwater’s second to give the hosts a comfortable half-time lead.

The second half was only two minutes old when Welton full-back, Keenan Mastouras, clashed in the penalty area with Fry. Mastouras grabbed the ball, thinking he had been fouled, but instead, the referee awarded Bridgwater a penalty for hand ball. Up stepped Jack Taylor, who made no mistake with his spot kick.

The hosts weren’t letting up with the pressure and Welton were on the back foot as they tried to deal with the flowing football Bridgwater were producing.

Welton Manager, Tom Smith, rang the changes and brought on Lewis Russell and Lewis Coleman to try and change the nature of the game. These two combined straight away with Coleman weaving his way through the Bridgwater defence, only to be denied by a last ditch block.

Bridgwater made it four in the 64th minute when a long cross from the left was met by Taylor and he thumped his effort firmly into the Welton net.

Right at the end, Regula nearly scored a consolation for Welton with a good strike, only to be denied by a smart save from Bridgwater keeper, Jake Viney. Bob Allard