Welton Rovers 0 Longwell Green Sports 3

After the mid-week penalty shootout drama, which saw Welton beat Southern League Larkhall Athletic to progress to the Quarter-Finals of The Somerset Premier Cup, hopes were high at West Clewes that

Welton’s recent run of good form would continue against high-flying Longwell Green Sports. However, hopes were dashed, due to unforced errors and a lack of goal-scoring opportunities.

The game got underway and Welton showed first with a long-range effort from Chris Pile that went wide. A good probing attack from Welton saw Harry Barter and Liam Evans combining well, and from the subsequent corner, an effort from Evans was cleared away.

A defensive mix-up at the back for Welton saw the ball fall to Lovejoy Mafini, who had a clear shot at goal, only for Sam Stoppard to be on hand to save the day and clear the ball.

A good run down the right by Alex Wych saw him deliver a perfect cross into the mix, which was crying out for a Welton boot to connect with.

The visitors took the lead on fifteen minutes, when a cross-cum-shot from Kyle Box, out on the left, beat Welton keeper, Tom Drewitt, at his near post to give Longwell an unexpected lead.

Minutes later, the visitors were two up; a neat attacking move saw Luke Lecrass and Connor Britton dissect the Welton defence and set up Luke Bryan, who curled his shot into the top of the Welton net.

Welton’s heads were down and a cracking shot from Bryan flashed past the Welton post as the visitors pressed for more goals. A tricky run from Rene Adigbo set up Barter in front of the Longwell goal, but his weak shot was easily gathered by Longwell keeper, Jamie Powell.

Welton were then awarded a free kick deep in the visitors’ half, Pile’s delivery was met by Joe Garland, who headed over. Just before the half-time whistle, the visitors got their third, when a corner from the right was dropped by Drewitt as he went to collect the ball and fell at the grateful feet of Tom Welling, who poked the ball home from close range.

Straight from the restart, the visitors pressed and an early attack saw Sam Crumb scoop his shot over the Welton bar, then a low driven shot from Box went wide of the target. A cross from the right from Dylan Hatt saw Evans challenge Powell, who dropped the ball, but nobody was on hand for Welton to poke the loose ball home. An effort from Adigbo was blocked by the visitors’ defence. Drewitt was on hand to block Crumb’s goal-bound shot with his trailing leg.

Welton rang the changes, bringing on all three substitutes to press Longwell. However, Welton had Wych to thank for a goal-line clearance to deny the visitors a fourth goal. Sub, Tosin Oyebola, struck his shot through a crowd of players, but Powell was on hand to save. Just before the final whistle, a free kick from Barter was met by Garland at the far post but he headed over, which just about summed up Welton’s day.

This Saturday, 23rd November, Welton are away to Wells, kick-off at 3 p.m. The Reserves are at home at West Clewes – hopefully to get a game in, as Saturday’s game at Hutton was called off – making it a month with no game for them.

Bob Allard