Welton’s unbeaten start to the season continued as they picked up a valuable point in a cracking game at Cheddar. A large contingent of the Green Army made the short trip over the Mendips, and were in fine vocal form.

The match started with Cheddar taking the game to the visitors, and Welton had keeper Tom Drewitt to thank for an outstanding close-range double save, that brought applause from both sets of supporters, as he denied Cheddar an early lead.

At the other end, a close-range header from Welton debutant Michael Jones was palmed away by keeper Liam Kingston. Cheddar took the lead in the 18th minute, when an effort from Robbie Maggs struck the Welton upright, and the rebound fell to Nathan Best, who drilled his shot past Drewitt into the Welton net.

Welton then had to make an early substitute, as Lewis Coleman picked up a knock, and was replaced by Charlie Babb. Welton’s equaliser wasn’t long in coming, a deep free kick from Tom Smith landed in the mix where Joe Garland pressured Kingston, and the ball fell to Jones, who poked it home to score on his debut.

Welton continued to press, and good play by Malick Jammeh saw him wriggle past his marker and fire in a low shot that beat the keeper, only to strike the far post and rebound back into his grateful arms.

The second half had only been underway for a minute when referee Wentland awarded Cheddar a penalty, after Best fell in the area from a coming-together, much to the consternation of the Green Army. Up stepped Adam Jones, who made no mistake with his spot kick.

Last season Welton would have struggled with this setback, but not so this team, as the determination and effort from all the players was clearly on display. They had a real go at their hosts, with shots and efforts, but the equaliser just wouldn’t come.

That was the case until the sixth minute of added time, when Tom Smith, who minutes earlier had seen an effort go close, was found on the edge of the area. He turned and fired in a low shot that went past the outstretched arm of Kingston, and crept into the corner of the net.

The celebrations of the whole team showed how much this meant, and The Green Army went back home over the Mendips more than satisfied with what they had witnessed.

Bob Allard