Welton Rovers 1 Fareham Town 7

Welton’s interest in this years FA Cup competition fell at the first hurdle when they were soundly beaten by Wessex League Fareham Town who were managed by former Arsenal and England international Graham Rix.

Half an hour before kick-off a flash of lighting and a crash of thunder echoed around West Clewes possibly an omen of what was to come on a cold wet blustery summer Saturday afternoon.

In front of another large crowd Welton took the game to their visitors and within three minutes were awarded a penalty after Toby Coles was brought down in the area. Upstepped Welton captain Lewis Russell who made no mistake with his spot kick to give Welton an early lead.

Welton’s lead lasted five minutes, a cross from Joe Johnson fell to striker Sam Kessack who got the right side of his marker to head home and equalise for the visitors. Welton responded and a pass from the middle put Will Hailston through a gap but he just couldn’t put the shot away.

On the twentieth minute Fareham took the lead when Johnson met a cross from the right and headed home from ten yards out. Cole was then found in space at the other end and his effort was gathered at the second attempt by Fareham keeper Jordi Minet.

The visitors continued to look dangerous when a ball out of Welton’s defence fell to Sam Woodward, he thumped his effort past Dominic Oakes in the Welton goal.

Just before halftime Fareham got a fourth with a brilliant overhead kick from Sam Kessack to score one of the best goals seen at West Clewes for sometime.

The visitors were rampant and Welton’s defence was really on the back foot and only a brilliant one handed save by Oakes denied the visitors a fifth before half-time.

Welton manager made two half-time changes; Joe Durrant on for Welton stalwart Joe Garland and Ben Gundle on for Jordan Metters. However, the visitors were not taking their foot off the peddle as a corner on the left was met by Kessack and his glancing header saw the ball fly into the far corner of the net to secure Fareham fifth and his hat trick.

There was no let up from Fareham and minutes later they got number six when another cross from the left was met by the unchallenged Johnson and he firmly drilled his shot into the empty net.

Welton kept going as best they could and shots from Cole and Gundle flashed across the Fareham goal. Danny Carpenter was brought on in place of Archie Morris for Welton but the visitors hadn’t quite finished as substitute Mark Smith made it seven with a cracking shot from twenty yards out that gave Oakes no chance.

This was a hard lesson to take for Welton but they must regroup and prepare for next Saturdays league encounter at Shepton Mallet kick off 3pm.

Bob Allard