PAULTON ROVERS U18s 1 WELTON ROVERS U18s 3

Welton took the points in an entertaining local derby against a Paulton side that lack that final thrust in the last third of the pitch.

After a testing opening period from both sides, Welton took a 24th-minute lead – albeit fortunately – as a Paulton pass deflected off the referee straight into the path of Conor Ford, who made no mistake.

Kyle Stock’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Lewis Hale, and Iwan Tutor blasted over from five yards out. It was 2-0 on the half-hour, as Stock burst forward to drive the ball past Paulton keeper, Sean Salter.

Six minutes after the restart, Paulton pulled a goal back as Will Osbourne’s shot was deflected, sailing over Welton keeper, Josh Mathews. The heavy pitch was taking its toll on both teams’ legs, but Welton stretched their lead on 79 minutes as a Paulton misplaced pass was fastened on to Ford to shoot past Salter. In a late Paulton flurry, Ali Sen drove over the crossbar.

Tony Walsh