Welton can hold their heads up high, as they gave their high-flying Premier League opponents a good run for their money, in this lively FA Vase clash at a blustery West Clewes.

It was a lively start from both sides, with end-to-end football putting the respective defences under early pressure. Good work down the right from Dan Veal saw him race down the flank and find Francois Allen in space, and as the striker was just about to pull the trigger with the goal at his mercy, a last-ditch Willand boot cleared the ball.

Minutes later, Allen tricked his way into the area and set up Veal, but he scuffed his shot and saw it go wide of the target. Welton then suffered an early setback as Charlie Babb picked up a knock, and although he remained on the field, he was far from fit. When a loose ball came his way, he was unable to properly deal with it, and was robbed by Luke Mortimore, who raced on-goal and launched a great shot that flew past Tom Drewitt and into the far corner of the net. Babb was then replaced by Lewis Colman.

Just before half-time, Welton had a couple of corners on the trot, and Aaron Cockerill’s delivery into the mix caused all sorts of problems for the Willand defence, but Welton couldn’t find that vital touch needed to put the ball into net.

The second half began with the visitors pressing for another goal, and a cracking shot from Mortimore flashed across the goal. Welton’s response was a long-range effort from Chris Pile, that was well-held by Willand keeper, Michael Searle.

Welton continued to press, and Searle was on-hand again for the visitors, when he blocked a close-range effort from the lively Pile. It was all Welton now, as they went all-out for the equaliser, and an effort from full-back Jaden Savery was saved by Searle, who was certainly being kept busy.

Willand then got going again, and Welton had Cockerill and captain Joe Garland to thank for denying the visitors with quality defending. Welton manager, Clive Scott, brought on Malik Jammeh and Shakiel Green to the attacking cause but in the end, despite Welton’s best efforts, the all-important equaliser just wouldn’t come, and Welton’s interest in the FA Vase competition ended for another season.

Bob Allard