Welton Rovers 0 Almondsbury 0

The points were shared in this dour affair at West Clewes, with neither side getting the upper hand and clear-cut chances being at a premium.

Welton suffered a setback even before the game started, when Lewis Coleman pulled up during the warm-up and was replaced by Rene Adigbo in the starting line-up.

Welton had an early charge on the visitors, led by Alex Wych, down the right, and his decent cross was safely gathered by the Almonds’ keeper, Jamie Merry. A long range shot from Harry Barter then flew over the bar.

Welton continued to press, and a corner on the right from Chris Pile was met by Joe Garland, who rose above the defence but headed over. Tom Drewitt was then called into action with a good save to stop Sam Rawlings shot on target.

The Almonds were getting more into the game and Garrett Williams scooped his shot high over the bar and a curling shot from Rawlings failed to trouble Drewitt. Welton’s response was a 25-yard screamer from Pile that flew high over the Almonds’ bar.

The best chance of the half fell to Barter in front of goal and his goal-bound shot was deflected away for a corner. Just before the half-time whistle, the Almonds’ striker, Stuart Alexander, was sent to the sin bin by the referee for dissent.

The second half began with the visitors down to ten men as Alexander remained in the sin bin for a few more minutes. Drewitt was on top form to deny Williams, then Harry Greenbury shot straight at Drewitt with the goal at his mercy.

Welton responded and efforts from Adigbo and Barter peppered the visitors’ goal but the vital breakthrough wouldn’t come. Williams was then put clean through on goal but he had too much time and scuffed his shot and a great chance went begging.

A deep free kick for Welton was met by Garland but he headed over. Kyle Ford then became the second Almondsbury player to be sent to the sin bin in the game by the referee for something he said. Good play by Adigbo saw him create space, but he blasted his shot across the goal and wide of the target.

With the last play of the game, Welton nearly picked the pockets of the Almonds when great play from Garland down the right saw him race into the area and he drilled his shot low down towards goal, only to see keeper, Merry, get a feint hand to the ball to divert it away and deny Welton the points.

Welton Reserves continued their good run with a 3–3 draw at Glastonbury and consolidate second place in the league.

This Saturday, 14th December, the First Team are away to Lebeq, kick-off at 3.15 p.m., whilst the Reserves are home at West Clewes when Hutton are the visitors, kick-off at 3 p.m. BA