ASHTON AND BLACKWELL 1 WELTON ROVERS 0

After the sudden departure of Manager, Jared Greenhalgh, during the week, senior Welton player and Captain, Tom Smith, was put in charge of team selection for the game against high flying Ashton and Blackwell, and Welton can count themselves unlucky that they didn’t come away with a point.

It was a murky and misty afternoon at Blackwell, but a large contingent of the Green Army had made the trip to show support for the team. Within a minute of the kick-off, central defender, Joe Garland, was booked by referee, Payne, following a clumsy tackle. The hosts then pressed, winning two corners, and striker, Josh Williams, headed over the Welton bar.

A great run down the left flank by Chris Pile, saw him tear into the area and fire in a decent shot that was saved by Ashton keeper, Liam Jacques.

Good play in the middle from Dylan Hatt saw him set up Liam Evans and his long-range effort skirted the Ashton post. Welton were awarded a corner on the right, and Pile’s delivery was met by Garland, but he headed over.

Welton keeper, Will Justin, was then called into action at the other end with a good save low down to deny Connor Biggins.

Minutes later, Justin was at it again with a quality save from a close-range shot from Saul Jarrett. Hatt was then brought down on the edge of the box; up stepped Evans, but his well-struck shot curled over the hosts’ bar.

Ashton and Blackwell took the lead right on the stroke of half-time, a deep curling cross from the left by Charlie Rich was met at the far post by Callum Townsend and he volleyed home from close range.

Welton suffered an early second half setback when Harry Barter picked up a knock and had to go off. Justin then pulled off another good save to deny Townsend and minutes later, Justin pulled off a brilliant save to tip Connor Saunders’ twenty yard volley over the bar.

Welton were pressing for the equaliser, and good play between Pile and Garland saw Garland’s goal-bound effort cleared with a last ditch boot.

Welton full-back, Alex Wych, then saw his cracking shot go inches wide as Welton turned up the gas on their hosts.

However, Ashton looked dangerous on the break, leaving Williams and Townsend up front. One such long ball out of defence found Townsend and he raced on goal, chipped his shot over Justin, only to see the ball strike the Welton far post and go out, which was a let-off for Welton.

As full-time was fast approaching, Welton were awarded a free kick, thirty yards out from goal. Evans launched an absolute cracker of a shot that flew goalwards over the wall, past Jacques, only to strike the underside of the bar and go out, which was a real let-off for the hosts.

As the game entered added time, Welton were awarded a free kick in the centre spot, as the Welton players tried to retrieve the ball that had been kicked away, a large melee ensued in the Ashton half involving numerous players.

Referee, Payne, and his two Assistants, got together once things had calmed down, and the result was Pile and an Ashton and Blackwell player were booked. Tom Smith was shown a straight red card and was off, which was a disappointing end to proceedings.

Welton Rovers’ Reserves continued their excellent form with a thumping 6–0 win over Long Ashton at West Clewes. Two goals apiece from Jed Parfitt and Harry McClachlan and a goal each from Mark Andrade and Andy Gardener did the damage, and the result leaves Welton sitting pretty at the top of the table.

This Saturday, 1st February, Welton’s First team are without a game and the Reserves travel to the Somerset Levels where Middlezoy Rovers are the hosts. B. Allard