WELTON Rovers achieved their first win of the season in Division One of the Jewson Western League, beating Calne Town 3-2 away with an impressive, battling display that was credit to the whole team.

The hosts took the lead after only nine minutes when Harry Stiles slotted the ball into the Welton net and it seemed it was going to be one of those days again. However, Welton had other ideas and equalised on sixteen minutes when striker Courtney Charles fired in a very good goal that gave the keeper no chance.

It got better on the half hour when Chris Pile delivered the perfect cross into the area where it was met by Todd Howitt and his bullet header flew into the back of the net to give Welton a deserved 2-1 halftime lead.

It was all hands to the pumps in the second half as Calne pressed for the equaliser and the Welton defence was under extreme pressure but looked liked holding on but, with eight minutes remaining, up popped Owen Jones to equalise for the hosts.

It looked like it was going to be another one of those days for Welton but Welton captain Chris Pile had other ideas. With less than five minutes remaining he tore through the visitors defence to send in an absolute stunner of a strike that flew into the net past the despairing keeper to restore the lead.

Calne were crest fallen and when the referee blew the final whistle there were great scenes of joy from the players and travelling Welton supporters to a job very well done and to celebrate the first league win of the season.

Victory enabled Welton to move off the bottom, with Hengrove Athletic now below them following a 5-1 loss at Radstock.

This coming Saturday, October 18, Welton are home to Avonmouth (3pm).

Bob Allard