Welton chalked up their first win on their return to the Toolstation Premier League with a hard-working display against a lively Willand side in an incident packed game.

The game got underway on a humid, sultry afternoon in East Devon and Anthony Conradi was fouled within ten seconds of the kick-off. The ball was delivered by Conradi into the mix where Kurtis Parkin, in the Willand goal, failed to deal with it, but eventually Willand cleared their lines.

The home side’s response was a long-range effort from full-back, Ryan Guppy, that went wide. Willand continued to press the Welton defence and a header from Tom Bath was well saved by Ryan Perry in the Welton goal. Then a glancing header from James Blake went inches wide of the Welton far post. Welton’s response was a cracking twenty-yard shot from Tom Smith that flew over the Willand bar.

Welton took the lead on 21 minutes when a bad clearance by the Willand defence saw Lewis Dunn pounce on the loose ball. He found Conradi in space on the right and he made no mistake with his shot that flew into the back of the Willand net. Parkin then denied Welton a second when his trailing leg saved Omar Simpson’s goal-bound effort.

Willand equalised on the half hour when Blake was found in space on the edge of the Welton area, he turned, raced towards goal and fired in a stunning shot that gave Perry no chance in the Welton goal.

Five minutes later, Welton regained the lead when the impressive Dan Cottle was brought down 25 yards out. The youngster delivered an absolute gem of a free kick that flew over the wall and curled into the Willand net by the near post to score a top-drawer goal.

The second half got underway with the sound of thunder in the distance and Dan Scrivens replaced Smith at half-time for Welton.

The first action of the half was a snap shot from Bath that went wide of the Welton goal. Steve Bridges saw his effort go close for Welton and at the other end, Bath shot wide when put through on goal. Midway through the half, the heavens opened and the game continued with torrential rain falling, making the playing surface slippery.

On the 65th minute, Willand’s Blake went for a ball and fell awkwardly, twisting his back. The game was delayed for 45 minutes awaiting an ambulance and after treatment, the player was taken to hospital.

The game restarted and Conradi was found on the left in space, with a great ball out of defence, his quality pass set up Welton Captain, Chris Peck, on the edge of the Willand area and he launched a cracking shot that flew into the back of the Willand net to score the third goal for Welton.

The home side responded and Luke Alden shot wide but Willand couldn’t break down the stalwart Welton defence and Welton recorded their first ever away win against Willand.

All connected with Welton wish James Blake a speedy recovery.

Bob Allard