WELTON ROVERS 1 OLDLAND ABBOTONIANS 2

For the second home match in a row, Welton produced a below-par performance at West Clewes, which allowed their visitors to return to East Bristol with all three points.

New signing for Welton, Scott Hatcher, was making his first start as the game got underway in tropical conditions and high temperatures which would obviously effect the teams as the game progressed.

It took Welton only four minutes to take the lead, as a ball from the back was flicked on by Dave Cooper and fell to Lewis Coleman, racing through, who calmly fired his effort past keeper, Ben Carter, and into the Oldlands’ net. Will Hunter then went close with a long-range effort as Welton pressed the visitors, who hadn’t really got started.

However, as Welton dropped back Oldlands responded and a shot from Owen McCallum flew over the bar and a header from Lucas Hart went straight into the arms of Welton keeper, Tom Drewitt. A free-kick from the right was met at the far post by Jamie Symonds; he headed goalwards but his effort was blocked by Drewitt.

Halfway through the half, the game was halted for a water break. Welton were allowing the visitors to come at them, and a shot from full-back, Matt Hyslop, missed the target. Chris Pile then got into the action with a maisey run through the Oldlands’ defence, only to fire in a weak shot that was easily gathered by Carter.

Just before half-time, Welton had a let-off as Drewitt had to race out of his area, after Welton lost possession in midfield and Scott Robson’s shot was blocked by Drewitt’s leg. The ball fell to McCallum, and his 35-yard strike flew goalwards, only to veer away at the last minute.

It took the visitors only two minutes from the start of the second half to equalise; a free-kick from thirty yards out caused a scramble in the Welton defence – the ball fell to Scott Robson on the left, and he picked out Joe Beardwell with his pass who slotted the ball into the Welton net.

Further pressure from Oldland saw a scooped shot from Casey Woodman go wide. The Welton defence were having trouble dealing with the pace of the visitors’ attack, as Beardmore shot wide with another effort. Welton Manager, Jared Greenhaugh brought on Harry McClachlan and Joe Sardo to liven things up for the hosts.

A free-kick on the right for Welton wizzed across the Oldland box, and Tom Smith was inches away from connecting at the far post with a diving header. Good play from Coleman saw him set up McClachlan, and his first-time effort was saved by Carter. Welton continued to press and an almighty goalmouth scramble ensued in the visitors’ six-yard box as the ball bobbled along the goal-line, but was eventually cleared.

At the other end, Oldland’s attack were stretching the Welton defence, and Sardo was on-hand to stop a certain goal when he cleared off the line to deny Jamie Symonds. The inevitable happened with five minutes to go: Beardwell was put through the Welton defence unchallenged, and he was able to toe-punt his effort past Drewitt into the Welton net to score the winning goal for the visitors.

There has to be a big improvement from Welton next week if they wish to progress in the FA Vase and rejuvenate the ranks of the Green Army.

This Saturday, 31st August, Welton are home in the FA Vase when Devon side, Newton Abbot Spurs, make their first ever trip to West Clewes; kick-off 3 p.m.

Bob Allard