After passing a pitch inspection earlier in the day, it was game-on at West Clewes, and in a difficult match, it was the visitors from Wiltshire who left with the three points.

The game got underway in absolute freezing conditions, with snow showers and the Siberian wind blowing straight down the pitch into the faces of Welton in the first half.

The visitors pressed early on, and were rewarded with consecutive corners from the right that the Welton defence dealt with. Welton’s response was a shot on the turn from striker, Courtney Charles, that was saved at the second attempt by Park keeper, Sam Thompson.

Welton keeper, Tom Drewitt, was then called into action, when he saved a volley from Lewis McCarron from the edge of the area. Welton were getting more into the game, and quality play from Dylan Hatt saw his delicate chip set up Charles, who beat two players only to hit his strike straight at the keeper.

Further pressure from the hosts saw Charles find Shakeil Green free in space with a clear view of the goal, but he scuffed his effort and a clear chance for Welton to take the lead went begging.

Welton were awarded a free-kick out on the left which was taken by Steve Bridges; his delivery flew over the Park defence and was met by Joe Garland and his first-time effort flashed past the far post.

The visitors responded to this scare by launching an attack down the left – the ball was crossed and Welton defence failed to clear it as it fell to Alex Pring on the edge of the area, who drilled his shot low down into the Welton net to give the visitors the lead.

Welton responded, and a corner from Bridges was met by Joe Batterick, whose his volley had ‘goal’ written all over it, only for full-back, Jamie Norman, to head the ball off the line and clear. Just before half-time, Welton had a strong penalty shout turned down by referee, Reed – Charles raced into the area and was just about to pull the trigger when he was clearly bundled over with a push in the back. The referee was having none of it, much to the shock and annoyance of the Green Army.

The second half was virtually a non-event. Whether it was due to the deteriorating conditions combined with the visitors’ style of play, who were arguing every decision, it certainly put the mockers on any quality play. Welton tried to break down the Park, but too often the final ball went astray or the Park defence held firm, and Thompson, in the visitors’ goal, had a virtually untroubled second half.

Welton brought on all three substitutes to liven things up, but there was no sign of the all-important equaliser coming.

Welton entertain Roman Glass St George at West Clewes this Saturday, 24th March; kick-off 3 p.m.

B. Allard