WELTON Rovers fell to a narrow 3-2 home defeat against Almondsbury in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League. The match was dominated by gale-force winds and controversial moments.

With the wind advantage in the first half, Welton applied early pressure, forcing multiple corners and creating several chances. Todd Howitt headed narrowly over from a Lewis Russell delivery, while Ashton Arlow was twice denied — first by a superb save from Sam Burgess, then by the wind itself as a loose ball drifted past the keeper but was fired over.

Despite Welton’s dominance, Almondsbury took the lead on the half-hour when a goal kick fell to Jaiden Holver, who finished low past Callum Heal. Welton responded ten minutes later with a brilliant solo effort from Russell, who cut inside and curled a shot into the top corner.

Just before the break, Will Ford’s long-range strike was tipped over by Burgess in another fine save.

In the second half, Almondsbury benefited from the wind and regained the lead through Holver, who latched onto a long ball and scored despite offside appeals. Minutes later, Welton were reduced to ten men when Reuben Hobbs was shown a straight red card for a last-man challenge — a decision that angered the home crowd.

Almondsbury extended their lead with ten minutes remaining as Ollie Boyce headed home from a corner. Welton showed resilience and pulled one back through substitute Mason Kelsey, who finished confidently after good work from Chris Pile

.Despite the result, Welton’s performance — particularly in the second half — was commendable. Their ability to play composed football in difficult conditions and with a man down deserved more than a defeat. On balance, a draw would have been a fair result in a match where there was never a lot to choose between the teams.

Bob Allard