Welton cannot have any grumbles with this result, as they were beaten by a team that put away their chances.
Before the start of the game, there was a perfectly observed minute’s silence in respect of all those who lost their lives in the Columbian air crash.
The game got underway on a heavy pitch, and the first action saw Welton’s Shakiel Green brought down on the edge of the Cheddar box. Central defender, Will Hunter’s free kick flew a foot over the Cheddar bar. The visitors’ reply was an excellent run down the left by Lewis Matthews and his pin point cross was met by Cheddar Captain, Adam Jones, but he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
The game was going from end to end and further good play by Green saw his final shot go inches wide of the Cheddar post. Welton keeper, Owen Knight, was then called into action with a good save with his leg to deny Jones.
Welton were pressing down the flanks but the finishing touches were missing. Cheddar took the lead on the half hour when a long throw from the right flew into the Welton area, which was met by Jones, who headed the ball to his left, with Callum Ham on hand to slot home at the far post. Knight then produced another good save to block Ricky Bennet’s powerful shot. Just before half-time, good play by Welton full back, Aaron Cockerill, saw him race into the Cheddar box and fire in a great shot that flew agonisingly over the visitors’ bar.
Welton came straight out of the blocks at the start of the second half, going all out for the equaliser with efforts from Chris Pile and Aaron Seviour going close. However, the goal wouldn’t materialise and the visitors got a second on 66 minutes when a mistake in the Welton defence allowed the loose ball to fall to Chris Bell, in space on the right, and he made no mistake with his effort.
Welton continued to press, but all their best endeavours were thwarted by a steadfast Cheddar defence. On the stroke of full-time, Ham got his second and Cheddar’s third when he finished off a sweeping attack from the visitors by drilling his first time effort into the Welton net.
Bob Allard