WELTON ROVERS 3 LEBEQ UTD 2

After Welton’s penalty shoot-out victory over Brislington in the Premier Cup, they got back to winning ways in the League with an outstanding team performance over Lebeq, who were making their first-ever Western League appearance at West Clewes.

The visitors took the lead on six minutes, when a shot on the turn from Dan Payne saw Tom Drewitt in the Welton goal palm the ball away to the right, but it then fell back to Payne, who fired in; the ball striking the unfortunate Drewitt and flying into the net. Dylan Hatt was then upended on the edge of the visitors’ area. Liam Evans’ free-kick found Pile in space, but his final effort didn’t cause Dan Brabham any problems in the Lebeq goal. Evans then got into the action, but he scooped his shot over the bar as Welton pressed for the equaliser.

Welton suffered a setback when full-back, Will Hunter, pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Harry Barter. Fabian McCarthy responded for the visitors and tore through the Welton defence, only to see his effort fly over the bar.

Welton equalised on the half-hour. An attack led by Pile saw him find Scott Hatcher in space in the area, and he drilled his shot into the visitors’ net. Drewitt then had to be on top form to save a great strike from Dominic Holver. Welton took the lead on the fortieth minute, when a set-piece from Tom Smith found Evans on a charge into the box, and he finished off in style as he planted the ball into the net by the far post to score a very good goal.

Both sides continued to press, and Drewitt saved at full-stretch to deny Holver, and at the other end, Brabham saved well to deny Pile. Just before the half-time whistle, Lebeq equalised when quality play from Payne saw him finish off in style with a cracking shot that flew past Drewitt into the net. The second half saw Welton press early for the all important next goal. A long-range shot from Pile went inches-wide and a chipped effort from Evans from way out on the right saw Brabham back-tracking, and he just managed to scoop the ball away before it fell into the net.

Joe Garland then met a corner from the right, only to see his header flash across the Lebeq goal. A good shot from Evans, twenty yards out, tested the keeper, and minutes later he was in the action again with a stinging shot that was well-saved.

Although the visitors were visibly tiring, they looked dangerous on the break. A quick free-kick fell to Rick Davis who broke through, only to skew his shot high over the Welton bar. Pile then found substitute, Tosin Oyebola, but he spooned his shot over the bar.

Welton continued to cause the visitors problems with their attacking play, and were rewarded with five minutes to go. A free-kick on the edge of the area by Barter kept low to Pile, and his low, quality pass was met at the near post by Welton Captain, Tom Smith, to poke the ball home from close-range and secure all three vital points. This Saturday, 19th October, Welton entertain League leaders, Calle Town, at West Clewes; kick-off 3 p.m.

Bob Allard