The start of the new Western League season will be greeted with renewed optimism by Welton and Radstock fans alike. Both our local sides enjoyed promising campaigns last term.
Whilst the ‘Green Army’ can lay claim to local bragging rights of one description, it was the ‘Miners’ who finished their League campaign the stronger, with a sixth-place finish in the Western League First Division.
Yet now is not the time to look upon past glories. A few short weeks after England’s heroics in Russia, Welton and Radstock begin their respective campaigns on Saturday, 4th August.
The Miners will hope they are at the races when they entertain Wincanton Town at Southfields, whilst two miles down the road, Welton Rovers take on Corsham Town at West Clewes.
It would be fair to say that neither side has enjoyed perfect pre-season preparations, largely thanks to the British weather. Pitches that had been waterlogged at the end of last season, now resemble the cricket squares of the subcontinent, thanks to the summer’s baking heat.
Welton Rovers have kept a low profile, so far, in the build-up to the new season. Friendlies against Premier Division big boys, Bitton and Bridgwater, have had to be moved to Odd Down Sports Ground, as the West Clewes pitch recovers from the heat. Yet both highly-competitive encounters have provided Clive Scott with the opportunity to hone his squad for the coming season. On Saturday, we’ll see if the Green Army’s rain dance has brought enough moisture to return their pitch to a playable state.
Up the Frome Road, Radstock’s pre-season preparations have been far more eventful, with the ‘Miners’ experiencing a host of comings and goings that would even make Jim White blush! Jared Greenhalgh quit as Assistant Manager before a ball has been kicked, whilst Jack Metcalf and highly-rated goalkeeper, Jack Scrivens, all make a welcome return to the playing staff.
Radstock Manager, Shane Smith, retains the experienced Sam Gregory, Morgan Skipp and Bret Partner, whilst welcoming the new signing of local brothers, Brad and Nath Beauchamp. The Miners also boast the signing of Felix Squire, an American Scholarship student, who will be looking to establish himself as a First Team regular.
Shane said: “We’ve been victims of our own success over the past couple of seasons. We like to play football the right way, but with so many teams in this area, I’m not surprised our players have had their heads turned by sides playing at a higher level, and with the budgets that go with that.”
“It’s not been easy, but I’m really pleased with the squad we’ve built. We’ll be competitive in a competitive division, we’re aiming to hold our place in the top half of the table and push on from there.”
Returning for another season is the Toolstation Western League Podcast, hosted by former Somer Valley FM Sport Show presenter, Ian Nockolds.
The podcast, which can be found at: www.toolstationleague.com and is downloadable from iTunes, provides Western League fans with a weekly round-up of all the news, views, fixtures and results across both Western League Divisions.
IN