BISHOP SUTTON 1 WELTON ROVERS 5
On a dull, murky afternoon, youngster Lewis Russell started for Welton, having recovered from a pre-Christmas injury.
Straight from the kick-off, he announced his arrival with a well-struck shot that was just off target. However, after only three minutes on the clock, Russell pounced on a long defensive clearance from Welton, tore towards the goal and finished off in some style to give Welton an early lead.
Four minutes later, Welton got a second. Excellent hold-up play from Omar Simpson saw him scoop his pass into the path of Russell, and he fired home to score his second of the game. As the hosts tried to deal with the Welton storm, a long-range effort from Joe Battrick flew over the bar, and Sutton keeper, Fraser Thomas, produced a fine fingertip save to deny Chris Pile.
The hosts’ first real effort of the game saw a free-kick from Liam Evans fly over the Welton wall, but keeper, Tom Drewitt, was on-hand to save well. Things got even better for Welton in the 37th minute, when Aaron Seviour was put through. He found Russell in space, and the youngster drilled his shot past Thomas to score Welton’s third and secure his first hat-trick. Just before half-time, Welton nearly got a fourth when Simpson’s effort was palmed onto the crossbar by keeper, Thomas.
The second half began with Sutton pressing early on, and Welton had full-back, Shakel Green, to thank, with a last-ditch tackle to deny the hosts a certain goal. At the other end, Pile broke through on the right, and his angled shot flew across the Sutton six-yard box and grazed the far post.
Welton then suffered a major setback when Russell suffered a shoulder injury and couldn’t continue. The hat-trick hero left the field to the loud applause of the large contingent of the travelling Green Army, who had made the short journey to Bishop Sutton.
Welton continued to dominate, and a mazey run by Seviour saw him waltz round three defenders, only to see his final effort fly high over the bar. Battrick and Will Hunter then saw their shots cleared, but Welton were not to be denied a fourth, which came in the 75th minute. Good work by Seviour saw him set up Battrick, who drilled his low shot past the defenders and keeper and into the Sutton net.
Straight from the restart, Sutton pulled a goal back. Adam Young was found free on the left, and he fired in from close range to score the hosts a consolation goal. Welton responded in style – good play from Simpson and substitute, Lewis Dixon, saw the ball fall to Richard Hurd, and he lashed his shot into the Sutton net to score his first ever goal for Welton, and the travelling Green Army went home well-impressed with this early New Year present.
On Saturday, 12th January, Welton entertain League leaders Cheddar at West Clewes; kick-off 3 p.m.
Bob Allard