A penalty for either side was the extent of the scoring in this ferocious Western League clash, but Wincanton Town, who have only won once since losing 3–0 to Welton back in October, will doubtless be the happier with their point.
It was Joe Battrick who would convert the Welton penalty, confidently sending Liam Norris the wrong way after Lewis Coleman’s fantastic work down the right wing. He recognised the backspin of a ball forward was going to keep it in play, and gambled where his marker did not, before rounding left-back, Kieran Davis – who would panic and bring Coleman down as he burst into the box.
Davis would make amends though, converting the Wincanton penalty fifteen minutes from time. ‘Winky’ had missed a penalty in each of their previous two games, and initially nobody in yellow stood up to take the spot kick, but when Davis did, he nonchalantly rolled it down the middle as Drewitt dived to his left.
Perhaps a penalty was the only way the visitors were likely to beat Drewitt, who was on inspired form. Early in the first-half, Tom Morris plucked the ball from the air with a beautiful right-footed touch, creating space for himself in the Welton box, and his high drive seemed destined to open the scoring, but Drewitt pulled off an exceptional one-handed save.
Five minutes before the Wincanton equaliser, Drewitt did similar, saving smartly, low to his left, as a Wincanton forward advanced on goal, seeming destined to score.
Ultimately, it was Welton who looked the more likely to notch a winner as they went all out for the last fifteen minutes and added time. Substitute Dylan Hatt’s glancing header nearly caught out Norris in the Wincanton goal, and Welton’s own Norris, Kyle, gave Wincanton a scare when his looping shot was denied only by a bobble right as he pulled the trigger.
Eight minutes of added time were played by the referee, who struggled to keep control of the game in the second half, following a horror challenge from Connor Williams on Welton full-back, Jaiden Savery.
Referee, Lindskog, deliberated with both assistants before deciding a yellow card was the right course of action, but this set the tone for a fractious and fitful second period where neither side was fully able to get into their swing.
Welton were disappointed not to claim the three points, having led for the majority of the game, but after back-to-back defeats, it will be a relief to be back among the points, and the one was enough to maintain their placing of fifth in the Toolstation Western League First Division.
Rovers will look to claim the victory this coming Saturday, when they travel to mid-tabled Bishops Lydeard.
The date for Welton Rovers’ Somerset Premier Cup Quarter-Final clash against Bath City has been confirmed as Tuesday, 20th February, with a 7.30 p.m kick off at Twerton Park.
The plum tie was earned by Rovers after they beat Southern League Larkhall Athletic in the previous round, 5–3 after extra-time.
Welton Rovers’ Vice-Chair, Gareth Paisey, said: “We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to play at Twerton Park. It should be a fantastic occasion for players and supporters alike, and we are really hopeful the people of Midsomer Norton will come out to support their team against our big city rivals!”