Welton Rovers 0 Bristol Telephones 1

This was a very disappointing game for Welton, when they lost to the league’s bottom club by an inspired second half goal from a former Paulton player and some inspired goalkeeping. The game also wasn’t helped by the gale force wind and drizzle driving down the length of West Clewes.

Welton won the toss and played down the pitch with the wind behind them. An example of how difficult the conditions were, came after only a couple of minutes, when ’Phones keeper, Richard Guest, sliced a back pass, only for the wind to take the ball towards his empty goal, cleared by a defender at the last minute. Good play from Dylan Hatt saw him set up Sam Stoppard on a charge down the left, but his cross was taken by the wind over the bar.

Welton continued to pile the pressure on the ’Phones’ defence and Stoppard went close with his shot. Lewis Coleman saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Guest, and the rebound fell to Joe Garland and his cracking first time effort went inches over the bar.

Welton then got a corner on the right, Stoppard’s delivery landed perfectly in the mix; an almighty scramble ensued, and the ball eventually was cleared to Aaron Seviour, who, from 35 yards out, launched a stinger of a shot that was well saved by Guest, and Pile, following up, fired goalwards, only for Guest to be on hand again to deny Welton.

The visitors were penned in their half and further shots from Coleman and Pile missed the target. Will Hunter then saw his dipping shot blown away from goal by the wind. That man Guest was on hand again to block another blockbuster of a shot from Pile.

Just before half-time, The ’Phones launched their first meaningful attack on the Welton goal. The charge was led by ex-Paulton player, Lyle Tooze, who found Jack Mathews in space, but his shot went well wide of Tom Drewitt’s goal.

The second half began with Welton pressing for the opening goal; Coleman was bundled over on the right, Stoppard’s free kick was met close to the near post by Garland, his effort was blocked by Guest, the ball fell to Seviour and Guest was back on his feet to block Seviour’s shot.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute, but it was the visitors who took the lead. Welton lost possession in midfield and the ball fell to Tooze, who raced goalwards, beating off three defensive challenges. Drewitt ran off his line to close him down, but Tooze calmly scooped the ball over the keeper and saw it fly into the Welton net to score a very good goal.

Welton were shellshocked by this setback and took some time to regroup. They got their act together and started pressuring the ’Phones’ defence again and in the space of two minutes, saw Guest save point blank from Seviour and then bravely block two more thumping shots from Welton.

Coleman then raced through to beat the keeper with his shot that looked to be a certain goal, only to see defender, Emanuel Benjamin, clear the ball off the goal line with his outstretched leg. Welton continued to press and a header from Tom Smith went close. In the end, Welton couldn’t make the breakthrough, largely due to a Man of the Match performance from ’Phones’ goalkeeper, Guest.

This Saturday, 23rd March, Welton are at home to Oldland Abbotonians, kick-off at 3 p.m.

Bob Allard