Wellington 2 Welton Rovers 1

Welton’s seven game unbeaten run came to an end at Wellington on a cracking Saturday afternoon for football. The victory propelled Wellington to the top spot in Division One, but Welton can count themselves very unlucky not to have come away with a point, especially after their classy first half performance.

The hosts started lively and Welton keeper, Andy King, was called into action early on with a good save to block Ian Bellinger’s stinging free kick. Welton’s response was a powerful run down the left flank by Aaron Seviour and his cross was met by Dan Veal, but his first time effort flew wide of the target.

Welton were really up for the game and were producing high quality passing football that had Wellington on the back foot. However, Welton suffered a setback when veteran keeper, King, pulled up with a calf injury and was replaced by Owen Knight.

Welton deservedly took the lead on 23 minutes when great play from Shakel Green saw him found deep on the left, he twisted and turned and mesmerised his marker before racing on goal, Wellington keeper, Connor Sidley-Adams raced off his line, but Green calmly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to score a very good goal. Welton continued to press, and Wellington were struggling with a rampant Welton attack and a Tom Smith snapshot went just wide of the goal.

The second half began in disastrous fashion for Welton, when a long, high throw from Jack Purter flew into the crowded Welton box. Knight raced out to collect the ball, but it went over him and eventually fell to Glen Wright, who headed home from close range to equalise for Wellington.

Welton’s response was a long range effort from Grant Price that flew high over the bar. Knight was on top form to deny a close range strike from Jack Taylor at his near post. At the other end, a good effort from Charlie Babb was well saved by Sidley-Adams. Bellinger got the ball into the Welton net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

However, Wellington were not going to be denied their second, which came in the 68th minute. After a period of prolonged pressure from Welton, a long ball clearance out of defence by Wellington saw the ball fall to Taylor on a charge, who beat off the Welton challenge and planted his effort into the far corner of the Welton net.

Welton brought on youngster, Reuben Hobbs, for his first team debut as they went all out for the equaliser. However, despite their best efforts, the equaliser wouldn’t come and on the stroke of full-time, Welton were reduced to ten men when Sam Deane received his second yellow card of the game.

Bob Allard